Team play leads Mystics past the Storm

Team play with and without the ball keyed the Washington Mystics’ victory over Seattle.

Chamique Holdsclaw scored 17 of her 23 points in the second half, and Tamicha Jackson made two key plays late to help the Mystics defeat the Storm 72-69 Wednesday night in Washington.

Holdsclaw scored eight of the team’s final 11 points and Washington (7-8) held off Seattle (10-5) despite blowing a 16-point second-half lead. Jackson also was a big help, hitting the tiebreaking jumper with 2:19 left and then making a steal seconds later that led to Holdsclaw’s 3-pointer and a 68-63 lead.

The Storm threatened again and just missed sending it into overtime as Sue Bird’s 25-foot jumper fell short at the buzzer.

“Everybody’s contributing, that’s what it’s all about,” Holdsclaw said. “I know we have to have a good record, top four, to make the playoffs. Let’s get those wins.”

Seattle’s Lauren Jackson scored 22 points, but got only two in the second half. Jackson took only three shots in the second half.

Sparks 73, Mercury 71: Lisa Leslie’s layup with 4.4 seconds to play gave the Sparks a victory over visiting Phoenix. Leslie finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Mwadi Mabika added 14 points as the Sparks (12-6) used their fourth consecutive victory and ninth in 10 games to move into first place in the Western Conference.

Diana Taurasi scored 25 points and Penny Taylor added 22 for the Mercury (8-9), who made 11 of 23 shots from 3-point range.