Final
Sun-Mystics Preview
May 29, 2010 - 6:09 PM By KATE HEDLIN STATS WriterConnecticut (3-1) at Washington (3-3), 4:00 p.m. EDT
The Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun are the top two 3-point shooting teams in the WNBA. The Sun's aggressiveness from beyond the arc, however, is translating into more victories.
The Mystics and Sun meet for the second time in a week Sunday at the Verizon Center as Connecticut goes for its third straight win while Washington tries to snap a three-game slide.
Connecticut (3-1) defeated Washington 80-65 last Sunday, handing the Mystics their first loss of 2010. The Sun went 9 of 21 from 3-point range, hitting four from long range during a 25-5 run bridging the third and fourth quarters.
For the season, Connecticut is shooting 37.5 percent from 3-point range, trailing only the Mystics at 38.5 percent. However, Washington has attempted only 65 shots beyond the arc while the Sun have hoisted up 88.
Connecticut has connected on at least nine shots beyond the arc in its three wins, shooting 9 of 24 in a 105-79 win over Minnesota on Thursday.
Renee Montgomery had three 3s and finished with a season-high 23 points while Tina Charles added 21 and 10 rebounds.
"I felt good for the first time this season," said Montgomery, who played last season for the Lynx and came in averaging 6.3 points. "I've had some unfortunate nagging injuries. It was just strange that this game happened to come against Minnesota."
After getting off to a 3-0 start, Washington has failed to get back in the win column. In an 81-75 defeat at Los Angeles on Friday, Katie Smith scored 15 points, and Monique Currie and Crystal Langhorne added 13 each.
The Mystics trailed 44-30 at the half and pulled within four with 1:16 remaining, but couldn't find a way to halt their skid.
"We played a solid second half, but you just can't dig yourself that big of a hole. Our transition defense wasn't very good, they got easy buckets," said Smith. "We were fighting the rest of the way and at that point you need to make everything go your way to finish it off."
Washington (3-3) has allowed an average of 81.0 points during its losing streak after giving up 67.3 during its quick start.
Currie, who leads the Mystics in scoring with 18.2 points per game, had a season-low six before fouling out last week against the Sun.
Washington defeated Connecticut 91-89 in double overtime in their most recent meeting at the Verizon Center in August.
- WNBA
FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
CONNECTICUT 13 13 17 22 65
WASHINGTON 20 13 19 17 69 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: CON - TINA CHARLES 13, KELSEY GRIFFIN 10,
RENEE MONTGOMERY 10
WAS - MONIQUE CURRIE 18, CRYSTAL LANGHORNE 17,
NAKIA SANFORD 11
May 30 5:56 PM - WNBA
CONNECTICUT 13
WASHINGTON 20 END, 1ST QTR
May 30 4:25 PM
Related News
- WNBA to tip off with spotlight on A'ja Wilson, Aces' quest for three-peat 12:33p
- WNBA franchise awarded to Toronto for 2026 season, per reports 11:45a
- WNBA to begin full-time charter flights this season, commissioner says Tue
- Some WNBA teams look for bigger arenas when Caitlin Clark's Fever come to town May 1
- Caitlin Clark turns focus back to basketball as training camp opens for Indiana Fever Apr 29
- WNBA champion Candace Parker announces retirement after 16 seasons Apr 28
- WNBA training camps open with Caitlin Clark, rookie class in spotlight Apr 26
- Here's why not every WNBA draft pick will make her team's roster Apr 25
- Caitlin Clark reportedly set to sign new 8 year, $28 million deal with Nike Apr 23
- Caitlin Clark's early play in WNBA will be her tryout for US Olympic women's team Apr 22
- Country music star Tim McGraw reps Caitlin Clark Fever jersey at concert Apr 19
- Caitlin Clark fever impacts WNBA odds: 'Her skills remind me of a young Steph Curry' Apr 18