Karlie Samuelson made a career-best 5 3-point makes an attempt with no miss and scored 19 factors to guide the Washington Mystics to a 90-77 victory over the host Phoenix Mercury on Thursday evening.
Brittney Sykes added 14 factors and Julie Vanloo tallied 13 on 5-of-7 capturing as Washington gained for the fifth time in six video games. Emily Engstler added 10 factors and three steals for the Mystics, whereas Samuelson shot 6-for-6 general.
Brittney Griner scored 15 factors and Natasha Cloud added 13 for Phoenix (17-18), which accomplished a 1-4 homestand.
Washington (11-23) is a half-game behind present eighth-place Chicago Sky (11-22) in a three-team battle for the ultimate playoff spot. The Atlanta Dream (11-22) are also a part of the combo.
The Mercury, who’re in seventh place, clinched a playoff spot on Tuesday with a victory over Atlanta.
Kahleah Copper added 11 factors and Monique Billings had 10 for the Mercury, who shot 39.7 % from the sphere and have been a shaky 9 of 30 from 3-point vary.
The Mystics shot 52.9 % from the sphere and have been 14 of 28 from behind the arc.
Washington led by 18 at halftime and scored the primary seven factors of the third quarter to construct a 57-32 benefit.
Phoenix trailed by 18 when Cloud made three free throws after being fouled with 3:07 left within the interval. However the Mystics have been in a position to push their lead again to 75-53 getting into the ultimate stanza.
The Mercury scored 12 of the primary 17 factors within the fourth quarter as they pulled inside 80-65 on Copper’s three-point play with 6:26 remaining.
A short while later, Sykes hit a jumper and Samuelson drained her fifth 3-pointer to offer Washington an 87-67 lead with 4:02 left en path to ending off a convincing win.
The Mystics led 24-15 after the primary interval after which scored 18 of the primary 26 factors within the second quarter to carry a 42-23 benefit with 2:51 left within the half.
Samuelson made all 4 of her first-half pictures, together with three treys, whereas scoring 13 factors. Her final 3-pointer of the half swished the online to offer Washington a 50-32 lead getting into the break.
–Area Stage Media
