Rookie Aaliyah Edwards scored 15 factors and Brittney Sykes contributed 12 of her 14 throughout a game-defining first quarter because the Washington Mystics received their fifth straight street recreation, demolishing the Chicago Sky 89-58 on Wednesday.
Sykes scored six straight factors throughout a 10-0 run that highlighted a primary quarter through which Washington shot 47.6 p.c, went 4-for-10 from 3-point vary and held a 14-7 rebounding benefit to go forward 29-13.
That effort set the tempo for the Mystics (12-24), who’re tied with the Atlanta Dream (12-24) for ninth place within the WNBA with 4 video games remaining. The Sky (13-23) maintain the eighth and remaining playoff spot.
The Mystics have received six of their previous eight video games general, with 5 of these victories approaching the street.
Chennedy Carter had 16 factors for Chicago, which shot 35.7 p.c and dedicated 15 turnovers whereas dropping for the eighth time in 10 contests. Isabelle Harrison and Kamilla Cardoso mixed for 23 factors and 16 rebounds for the Sky, who’re 1-1 since dropping star rookie Angel Reese to a season-ending wrist damage.
The Sky shot 1-for-8 from 3-point vary whereas being held to fewer than 60 factors after scoring 92 apiece whereas profitable every of their earlier two contests.
Regardless of falling into a large first-quarter gap, Chicago discovered some life whereas outscoring Washington by two within the second quarter. Nonetheless, Edwards, who entered the sport averaging simply 7.6 factors throughout her rookie marketing campaign, scored her first of 10 third-quarter factors and Julie Vanloo hit back-to-back 3-pointers to construct the result in 51-33.
Washington went on to outscore the Sky 28-19 within the third to take full management and transfer nearer to playoff place.
Ex-Sky ahead Sika Kone had 11 factors for the Mystics, who made half of their 68 photographs and shot 9 for 33 from 3-point vary (39.1 p.c).
Along with Reese’s absence, the Sky additionally performed with out veteran Diamond DeShields (ankle).
–Area Degree Media
