WASHINGTON (AP) -- The recently improved play of All-Star guard
Nikki McCray might be too little, too late to salvage a WBNA playoff
spot for the Washington Mystics.
McCray scored 15 of her game-high 23 points in the first half
Sunday while leading the Mystics (8-16) to a 55-42 victory over the
Charlotte Sting (11-14).
"All season long, I've been struggling with my shot," said
McCray, who was 6-for-13 from the field, 8-for-10 from the free
throw line and 3-for-4 from behind the 3-point arc. "But my
teammates have been supportive and they keep getting me the ball.
"For the first time, coach (Tom) Maher came up to me and said:
'Nikki, we need you to score. We're going to do it your way.'
"So I've been shooting it, and shooting it well."
The Mystics won consecutive games for just the third time this
season, snapped Charlotte's two-game winning streak and dealt the
Sting their third consecutive road defeat.
Chamique Holdsclaw shot 4-for-12 and finished with eight points
and 12 rebounds for Washington.
McCray's consecutive 3-pointers helped the Mystics to a 22-15
lead with 10:07 remaining in the first period.
"She made shots when she was wide open," Maher said. "And she
made good decisions to get to the rack more efficiently. Nikki has
played two very good games in a row, and she made a quantum leap in
the last few weeks on defense."
McCray hit two free throws to give Washington a 45-35 lead with
9:14 remaining. Helen Luz's driving layup extended the Mystics'
lead to 51-39 with 4:04 left.
The Mystics, who've lost 15 of their past 21 games, still are
thinking about postseason play.
"We're still in that playoff hunt," McCray said. "Eight more
games to go. If we win all eight, we'll definitely get a playoff
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ALSO SEE
WNBA Scoreboard
Charlotte team page
Washington team page
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