May 25, 2008 - What a wonderful way to cap off the Memorial Day holiday!

Wonderful Spring weather, a workless Monday, and a win for the Washington Mystics who defeated the tough and ready Houston Comets, 69-66, in their season home opener at the Verizon Center.

After what started as a low scoring game in the first half, (Washington went almost an entire eight minutes into the first quarter without scoring, before Alana Beard’s two points with 5:53 seconds left in the 1st quarter put the Mystics on the board 2-5), the Mystics later found their rhythm.

Mystic's coach Tree Rollins, in a post-game interview, said he’s most proud of the effort received from the bench during the contest.

With several players in foul trouble and Nikki Blue, who went down with a painful ankle injury that kept her out of the remainder of the game, the Mystics were able to rely on several bench players to step up during the game.

Laurie Koehn, dubbed the 'three point expert', had three 3-point shots on the evening.

But it was the foul shots of Nakia Sanford and Alana Beard in the end that helped clinch the win for the Mystics.

Sanford was fouled by Houston's Tina Thompson as she went for a reverse layup with 60 seconds left in the game. Sanford converted on the play and was sent to the free throw line where she made the shot to put the Mystics within one point, 65-64.

Reciprocating, Sanford would foul Thompson with :45 secs remaining sending Thompson to the foul line where she converted for the point that tied the game 65-65.  Another free-throw off the same foul gave Houston a 66-65 lead.

A steal by Coco Miller resulted in a layup that put the Mystics up 67-66 with :20 secs left.

After a timeout from the Comets the Mystics returned to the floor knowing they had a victory.

Taj McWilliams, new this season to the Mystics, would steal the ball from a Houston bad pass. Taj would get the ball to Alana who was subsequently fouled and sent to the free-throw line.

Beard, connecting on both free throws, clinched a 69-66 win over the Houston Comets, who are now 0-2 on the season.

The Mystics face the Atlanta Dream at home on May 27, at 7pm.

Video highlights - | Photos

Game notes:

Crystal Langhorne (right) and Krystal Vaughn (left)both received recognition during a pre-game ceremony for obtaining their degrees. 

Langhorne received her degree in Communications from University of Maryland, while team mate, Krystal Vaughn received her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, Parks, and Sports Management from Virginia Commonwealth University. 

 

 

Bernice Mosby, knee injury sustained in previous game.
Nikki Blue, twisted ankle sustained in tonight's home game.