Lynx 75 - 81 Mystics
Final
  for this game

Langhorne's 18 lead Mystics past Lynx 81-75

Aug 30, 2009 - 11:56 PM WASHINGTON(AP) -- Crystal Langhorne had 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Washington Mystics to an 81-75 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday.

Alana Beard, who left with a sprained left ankle with 3:08 remaining, added 13 points for the Mystics, who ended a three-game losing streak to the Lynx.

Beard received a piggyback ride to the training room from team physician Dr. Howard Osterman.

"She's been playing through a lot of pain right now, and that's what a lot of teams are doing this time of year," Mystics coach Julie Plank said. "These players are worn out. They're hurt. They're tired. ... It's a good thing we don't play until Thursday. Take three days off, and we've got to be healthy for the games."

Langhorne shot 8 of 13, blocked a shot, and made two steals.

"She's one of our most consistent players and we need her to score," Plank said. "I'm trying to run some more stuff for her offensively because she shoots about 57 percent from the field. ... She's just a warrior in there."

Six Mystics players scored in double figures for the first time this season. Chasity Melvin, Marissa Coleman and Matee Ajavon had 11 points apiece. Lindsey Harding added 10 points, five rebounds and five assists.

"Our team rallied when A.B. went down," Plank said. "We don't just rely on one or two players."

Harding's jumper gave Washington a 76-70 lead with 1:09 remaining. Ajavon made five free throws in the final 48 seconds to seal the victory for the Mystics, who wore pink uniforms and headbands on Breast Health Awareness Day.

Charde Houston's jumper pulled the Lynx within 74-70 with 1:59 left, but that was as close as Minnesota got down the stretch.

Houston led the Lynx with 20 points and Roneeka Hodges added 19.

"In the first half we did a lot of great things," Houston said. "In the third quarter, we came out flat and they took advantage of that. They came out with more intensity and they wanted every possession."

Nicky Anosike's layup off a steal gave Minnesota a 32-31 lead late in the second quarter. She closed the period with a layup that gave the Lynx a 38-34 halftime lead.

Ajavon's driving layup gave the Mystics a 67-54 lead with 3.8 seconds left in the third quarter.






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