Mystics Fend Off Late Indiana Comeback For Final Victory Of Four-Game Road Trip (7-10-24)
By: Jaden Golding
Headline Photo Credit: WNBA
Indianapolis, IN- The third time is the charm. The Washington Mystics picked up its first victory over the Indiana Fever this season 89-84, Wednesday afternoon at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Ariel Atkins came up huge for Washington (6-17) leading the charge with 26 points on 10-17 shooting from the field, three assists, three steals, and was a plus 10 while on the court.
In the first, Indiana (9-14) scored the first five points of the game. Until Washington responded with a key 18-5 run to take an eight-point lead. Atkins helped by making tough contested shots, and D.C. ran some nice high pin sets to draw defenders to the ball handlers for open shots down low. The Mystics led by nine after the first.
The second quarter saw Washington continue from its effective first quarter, getting scoring from different players to lead by 14 entering halftime. Indiana really hurt themselves with 13 first-half turnovers.
Indiana would cut D.C.’s lead down to as low as eight points in the third quarter. With 4:44 remaining the Mystics went on to outscore Indiana 17-5 the rest of the quarter.
The Mystics had its largest lead of 22 points to start the fourth quarter. Indiana came out aggressive, holding the Mystics scoreless for a little over three minutes to allow them to trail only 76-65. D.C. only scored points off of free throws for nearly the first six minutes, getting its first field goal of the quarter from rookie Aaliyah Edwards at the 4:48 mark. Ariel Atkins drove in for a tough contested layup as the Mystics led 85-68.
Indi went on a huge 14-0 run highlighted by 8 points from Caitlyn Clark during that span to trail 85-82 with 1:05 left. But Atkins would hit a key 9-foot shoot to put Washington ahead by two possessions all but ending things.
Clark had a big double-double performance scoring 29 points with five 3-pointers and dishing out 13 assists. Kelsey Mitchell added 15 points as well.
Atkins was the go-to person for Washington, dropping 26 points on 10-17 shooting from the floor. Julie Vanloo and Stefanie Dolson each scored 13 points.
Rookie Aaliyah Edwards had a nice performance with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and four assists.
Washington had 10 offensive rebounds that led to 13 second-chance points. The Mystics had a scare in that fourth quarter but were able to compel themselves to finish out the game. The Mystics went 2-2 on its four-game road trip.
The Mystics host the Las Vegas Aces Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. A’ja Wilson comes to town with four-straight double-double performances, her last game against Atlanta saw her drop 33 points, 18 rebounds, three steals, and 5 blocks.
