Mystics vs. Liberty final score: Washington’s hot three-point shooting catapults them to 101-72 win

The Washington Mystics are FINALLY in the win column after a 101-72 win over the New York Liberty on Friday evening.

Washington started this game on the right foot with Tina Charles and Ariel Atkins scoring a combined 35 points in the first half. In addition, the team shot 9-of-18 from the three-point line, largely led by the Charles and Atkins duo.

Washington also out-rebounded New York, 19-15 in the first half to get to a 52-46 lead.

The run didn’t stop in the third quarter as they turned on the three-point jets. Charles drained two more threes, showing the progress she made after working hard to extend her range since last year when she first arrived. Their newest sharpshooter additions, like Theresa Plaisance and Sydney Wiese drained key shots as the Mystics continued to gain more control.

Washington also held New York to just 35.3 percent shooting in the period to extend their lead to double digits. Once the fourth quarter went underway, it was all Mystics, all the time as Washington extended their lead even further to 20 points. Their largest lead was by 32 before the Mystics gave some mercy

Charles led the Mystics with 34 points and 9 rebounds in her first game against the Liberty since she was traded from New York to Washington last year. She shot 12-of-21 from the field and also went 4-of-7 from the three-point line. Ariel Atkins added 25 more points and shot 8-of-12 from the field and 5-of-7 from three. Atkins also blocked two shots. The Mystics shot a scorching 16-of-31 from three tonight.

A shoutout also goes to Erica McCall, who did the dirty work, grabbing 13 rebounds and scoring 7 points.

For the Liberty, Betnijah Laney scored 20 points and sophomore point guard Sabrina Ionescu was held to just 10 points on 3-of-9 shooting.

The Mystics will hit the road on Sunday to face the Indiana Fever. Tipoff is at 1 p.m. ET. See you then.