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Mystics-Sky Preview

Jun 26, 2009 - 7:19 PM By DAN PIERINGER STATS Writer

Washington (4-2) at Chicago (4-3), 8:00 p.m. EDT

Jia Perkins keyed a balanced offensive performance as the Chicago Sky rode their highest point total in a year to win their most recent game.

If last weekend's matchup with the Washington Mystics is any indication, Perkins may need another strong showing to counter Eastern Conference player of the week Alana Beard.

Perkins and Beard look to continue their hot starts Saturday night in Chicago as they square off for the second time in eight days.

Perkins had 22 points Tuesday and Chicago (4-3) had six players score in double figures in a 99-98 overtime win over Atlanta. Perkins added six assists and three steals in her third 20-point performance of the season.

"She's really stepped up her game this year," Sky forward Candice Dupree said. "It's something we're starting to get used to around here."

Chicago let a 16-point lead slip away in the fourth quarter before Perkins scored six points in overtime to lead the club to victory.

"She is one of our All-Stars, even though she hasn't been voted in yet," coach Steve Key of Perkins, averaging a team-leading 17.9 points. "We gave up a big lead with our starters out. But Jia put us on her back tonight and got us the win."

Perkins is having a career season, but so is Beard, taken second overall - 33 spots ahead of Perkins - in the 2004 draft. Both are among the league scoring leaders but Beard has the edge with 20.2 points per game.

Beard had her best game of the season against visiting Chicago last Saturday, finishing with 31 points and five assists - both season highs - while going 11 for 18 from the field as Washington (4-2) won 81-72.

"I know that I can score at any given point when I put my mind to it," Beard said after that game.

Sky guard Kristi Toliver was just as complimentary.

"Alana just hurt us by getting to the basket," Toliver said after Chicago was outscored 42-24 in the paint. "She's a talent. She's established herself in this league and today was no different. She has length, athleticism, and she did a terrific job of getting to the basket tonight. She kind of lulled us to sleep a little bit and then came back and was offensively explosive."

Beard delivered another strong outing Thursday, scoring 21 points with six rebounds and four steals, but it wasn't enough as Washington fell 93-87 to Phoenix.

"We had chances to win down the stretch and that's all you can ask for," Mystics coach Julie Plank said.

The Mystics are 8-3 all-time against the Sky, including 4-1 in Chicago, where the teams split two games last season. The Sky have won their first three home games this year.