Washington guard Taylor Hill put up a hell of fight scoring a game high 26 points, yet it wasn't enough to lead the Mystics to a win
Washington (10-16) was as cold as can be in the second quarter. The Mystics shot 16% from the field in the period and the San Antonio Stars (6-19) took full advantage as they defeated Washington 85-74. Taylor Hill continued her season long all WNBA caliber play, finishing with a game high 26 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assist while Tierra Ruffin-Pratt in a strong performance, posted 17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assist and 2 steals. The Stars were led by the play of a couple of local talents. Former Mystic Monique Currie ( Bullis/Potomac,Maryland ) posted a double double with 16 points and 10 rebounds while former James Madison star Jazmon Gwathmey added 16 points and 4 rebounds. Rookie point guard Moriah Jefferson had a strong performance as well finishing with 15 points and 9 assist.
After convincingly defeating the Indiana Fever the night before, the Mystics boarded the plane early Sunday morning to take on the Stars later that night. Some suggested that was the reason for the Mystics sluggish play in the first half specifically the second quarter, however, Washington head coach Mike Thibault isn't buying that. "We don't talk about back to backs" Thibault said. "It's not easy getting up at 4:15 (am) after playing the night before but everybody has to do it several times a year, so the world turns."
Mystics came out the half motivated and jumped out to a 14-4 run to cut the lead to 13 as they trailed 47-34. The Stars, capitalizing off a couple of questionable calls from the refs, pushed the lead back up to 17. Then Taylor Hill came alive. Hill scored 7 points to finish the quarter, however the Stars still held a 11 point lead 63-52.
In the fourth, it was an epic battle. with the Mystics trying valiantly to mount a comeback. Hill and Ruffin Pratt attacked relentlessly, although the play making of Jefferson, Currie and Gwathmey along with clutch shooting from back-up center Astou Ndour (16 points, 7 rebounds) proved to be too much to overcome.
Washington shot 33% from the field, 27% from 3-point range and 64% from the line for the game while the Stars shot 48% from the field, 15% from deep and an unconscious 92% from the line. With the loss the Mystics drop back into a last place tie with the Seattle Storm in the WNBA playoff race. Washington will next hit the road to take on the defending champs Minnesota Lynx this Friday at 8 pm.
*Notes - Mystics center Latoya Sanders made her season debut while also signing Australian point guard Leilani Mitchell.
Stars veteran forward Monique Currie came up strong posting a double double with 16 points and 10 rebounds
TRP posted 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assist in a big time all around effort
Stars rookie point guard Moriah Jefferson showed deadly efficiency posting 15 points (6-12 FG) and 9 assist