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Sales, Douglas help Sun hold off Mystics

May 20, 2007 - 12:38 AM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- The Connecticut Sun made some major changes in the offseason following a disappointing loss in the Eastern Conference finals. For one game, the changes worked.

Nykesha Sales scored 20 points to lead the Sun to an 89-80 victory over the Washington Mystics on Saturday in the season opener for both clubs.

Last season's leading scorer, Katie Douglas, got off to a slow start, but nailed some big shots down the stretch, and Lindsay Whalen poured in 18 points to help ensure the win.

Sales poured in 13 of her 20 points in the first half as Connecticut jumped out to a 49-42 halftime lead.

Douglas, who averaged 16.3 points last season, had only seven points late in the fourth quarter before coming up strong down the stretch. Douglas nailed a 3-pointer with 1:45 remaining in the game to give Connecticut a 79-78 lead.

The Mystics took their last lead of the game at the 1:24 mark when Nakia Sanford nailed an eight-foot jumper for an 80-79 advantage. Sanford scored 11 points in 24 minutes off the bench.

The Sun did not allow another point. Whalen and Douglas closed the final minute with four free throws a piece to seal the win.

Connecticut lost a major part of their frontcourt offense and defense when forward Taj McWilliams-Franklin was traded to Los Angeles in the offseason. Despite the loss, the Sun matched Washington with 33 rebounds.

Chastity Melvin had 22 points and 11 rebounds and DeLisha Milton-Jones added 20 points for Washington.