Stars-Mystics preview
The Washington Mystics started the final stretch of the regular season by snapping a seven-game losing streak with one of their most impressive wins of the season. They will try to back it up with another victory on Sunday. In need of strong finish to have a chance at the playoffs, Washington hosts the struggling San Antonio Stars at Verizon Center. The Mystics (9-16) moved into eighth place in the league standings with Saturday's 92-69 road win over the Indiana Fever. The top eight teams, regardless of conference, qualify the postseason. Guard Taylor Hill scored 19 points and Emma Meesseman added 17 points for the Mystics. Washington shot a sizzling 52.5 percent from the floor and connected on nine 3-pointers. The Mystics pulled away from the Fever with a 32-point fourth quarter. The Stars (5-19) have dropped six straight games, including Friday's 84-77 loss to the New York Liberty. San Antonio saw another starter go down with an injury. Starting forward Alex Montgomery sustained a knee injury in the loss and is doubtful for Sunday's game. The Stars lost leading scorer Kayla McBride for the season to a fractured right foot in early July and has not been able to recover. San Antonio is 1-6 without McBride and are last in the league in scoring, averaging 72.4 points per game. San Antonio's last win, however, came against the Mystics. Monique Currie scored 20 points, Dearica Hamby added 18 points and the Stars' defense limited Washington to 36.2 percent shooting in their first win over the Mystics since June 2014. San Antonio center Jayne Appel-Marinelli had a career-high 17 points and guard Moriah Jefferson added 16 in the loss. Jefferson said the Stars are trying to remain focus despite the struggles and mounting injury woes. "We just want to stay focused and try to have a winning mentality," Jefferson told reporters after the loss to the Liberty. "It's kind of like a new season after the Olympic break." |