Mystics take down Storm in D.C. (August 9, 2018)

By:Candice Bullock

Headline Photo Credit: Darrell Owens-LMS Network

The game started out today with Breanna Stewart of the Seattle Storm winning the tip-off. However, Natasha Cloud put the Washington Mystics on the score board first as she knocked down back to back jumpers to start out the game. Late in the first quarter Kristi Toliver helped the Mystics extend & maintain their lead with two three pointers of her own . At the end of the first quarter, Mystics took full advantage of having home court as they where up by 13 points at the end of the first quarter 31 to 18.

The first baskets scored in the second quarter came from the Mystics via the free throw line. Elena Delle Donne had the hot hand for the Mystics with 17 points in the first half which helped the Mystics increase their lead to 17 at the half. Despite efforts made by Jewell Loyd from Seattle who had 10 points in the first half, the first half ended with the Mystics being up 57 to 40.

In the 3rd Quarter, Seattle’s starters Natasha Howard and Jewell Loyd, who each had 15 points a piece by the end of the quarter. The Mystics where still able to increase their lead to 23, led by Elena Delle Donne who had 24 points by the end of the third Quarter. The quarter would come to an end with the Mystics dominating 83 to 60. 

In the end, the Washington Mystics were able to maintain their lead throughout the entire game to get a win on their home court against the current #1 team in the WNBA, the Seattle Storm. Four out of five of the starters from the Mystics scored in double figures today. Mystics star Elena Delle Donne ended the game with 30 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists to help her team get the win. This was also Ellena Delle Donne’s second game in a row where she scores 30 or more points and her fifth 30-point game of the season. Latoya Sanders chipped in with 17 points and 12 rebounds for Washington. 

The Mystics won the game with a final score of 100 to 77. This win moved Washington up from fourth to the third best record in the WNBA with a record of 19-11 on the season.