Alyssa Thomas dominated with a double-double of 27 points and 11 rebounds as the Phoenix Mercury snapped a three-game losing streak with an 88-72 victory over the Washington Mystics Sunday in the nation’s capital.
Thomas shot 12-for-17 from the field and also handed out eight assists to help the Mercury (16-9) improve to 2-0 against the Mystics (12-13) this season.
Satou Sabally finished with 15 points, Monique Akoa Makani added 13 points and Natasha Mack chipped in 10 for Phoenix, which improved to 1-1 on its current five-game trip and won for the first time since July 14.
Shakira Austin was the star of the day for Washington, pouring in 20 points, grabbing eight boards and swatting two shots. It marked the fourth consecutive game where she has scored in double figures and has recorded two or more blocks.
Jade Melbourne and rookie star Sonia Citron finished with 13 points apiece for the Mystics, who have lost three of four.
Phoenix trailed 46-42 at halftime but flipped the script with an impressive third quarter, outscoring Washington 26-12. The Mercury led by 10 entering the fourth.
The momentum swung their way on the strength of an 11-2 run to open the second half, taking the lead for good at 49-48 on Akoa Makani’s 3-pointer in the corner with 6:48 left.
Phoenix led by as many as 17 in the fourth before the Mystics got within 78-70 on Austin’s two free throws with 5:31 to play.
Washington came into the day looking to maintain momentum in its push for the postseason, while Phoenix had its sights set on getting back to its winning ways.
A tightly contested first quarter, featuring six ties and 10 lead changes, ended with Melbourne driving in and laying the ball up with eight tenths of a second to play for a 23-21 Mystics advantage.
The Mercury were within 34-32 at the 5:20 mark of the second after Kahleah Copper worked her way inside for a reverse layup.
The Mystics were outscored 28-20 in the paint in the first half but led by four as they capitalized on a 16-9 advantage in bench points.
–Field Level Media
