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The Mystics played the Chicago Sky today in a matinee game, which happens to be very popular.
Despite a very tight game through three quarters, the Mystics pulled away in the fourth to win 82-67 on the road, to get back to .500.
Twenty-WON for @De11eDonne in her return to the Windy City! #EyesUpDC pic.twitter.com/WQhivrHCRj
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) May 24, 2017
The outcome was hotly contested with Allie Quigley back for the Sky from Turkey, in the first quarter, who started out three for three and got everyone’s blood pumping.
The Good News
Elena Delle Donne hit her average with 21 points and eight rebounds. She has missed ONE free throw through four games and shot 6 for 6 today. She’s not a ‘foundation’, she is a literal pillar.
Tierra Ruffin-Pratt had a great first half with nine points and six rebounds. That was clearly the fact the scouting report pointed out she shoots about 25 percent. Not today! She ended up with a double-double, 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Ruffin-Pratt workin' on a career-high on @NBATV. 14 PTS and counting! pic.twitter.com/oDOHH44ynW
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 24, 2017
I am a Tianna Hawkins fan, so I was very pleased to see her hold up her end of the deal once again. Twelve points and nine rebounds did not disappoint.
@t_hawk21 now with TEN points off of the bench for @WashMystics #EyesUpDC #WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/KIUBm35BzP
— ChristyWintersScott (@ChristyWScott51) May 24, 2017
Kristi Toliver had a nice game, contributing 7 points and 5 assists.
Ivory Latta got sassy and made 4 of 7 shots, and was the juice off the bench we expect her to be. Yasss. And hits another milestone.
.@IvoryLatta12's 500th 3 point shot is good! Thats 1,500 points right there- that's a LATTA 3s! Congrats, Ivory!! #MysticsStars pic.twitter.com/R5eCwcIp5q
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) May 24, 2017
Emma Meesseman is leaving for Belgium. This will give the team a chance to gel without her. She has been shooting like crap. Clearly, her heroic schedule is catching up with her, and regardless of what the naysayers think, her worst day is better than a significant percentage of the W on defense. This break will hopefully recharge her battery when she returns. Though it would be ridiculous to suggest that she wasn’t still helpful, I know someone wants to say it.
The Bad News
A dis-jointed first three quarters was just good not great basketball, turnovers weren’t terrible, but there was a lot of missed shots and assignments.
The Neutral News
Wow. What a difference a bench makes. The ‘new look’ Mystics held it down when it mattered, just like in the first game of the season. The Sky were never able to pull away, and a couple players I have mentioned, really shined.
Krystal Thomas had five rebounds and continues to hold down that Kia Vaughn spot. Well done.
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Guess who the Mystics play at home on Friday? Yup. The Sky. Interested to see what adjustments they make.
Good game @wnbachicagosky! See you guys again on Friday @verizoncenterpr! #WatchMeWork #WNBA pic.twitter.com/65yMeVB89G
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) May 24, 2017