Beard leads Washington past Sacramento in overtime

Alana Beard had 20 points and a career-high six assists to lead the Washington Mystics to a 67-63 overtime victory over the visiting Sacramento Monarchs on Tuesday night.

Nakia Sanford, who grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds for the Mystics, scored the game-winning layup with 1:34 left in overtime.

Murriel Page made two free throws with 6 seconds remaining to seal the first victory for the Mystics since the WNBA’s Olympic break.

Kara Lawson led the Monarchs (15-14) with 14 points, while Tangela Smith and DeMya Walker each added 10.

Page and Stacey Dales-Schuman both scored 10 points for Washington.

Page drew a charge on Ticha Penicheiro with 30 seconds remaining in regulation and the score tied at 58. Beard missed a jumper with 6 seconds remaining and Sanford missed a follow with 3 seconds left. Chasity Melvin of the Mystics then missed two free throws with 2 seconds left and the game went to overtime tied at 58.

Penicheiro’s two free throws and two more by Walker had given the Monarchs a 58-54 lead with 3:06 left in regulation. Melvin made consecutive layups to tie it at 58 with 2:11 to play.