Beard leads Mystics past Liberty

Rookie Alana Beard totaled 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists to lead the Washington Mystics to a 71-59 victory over the New York Liberty on Thursday night at Washington.

Chasity Melvin scored 13 of her 17 points in the second half as the Mystics won their second consecutive game. Nakia Sanford added 11 points and matched her career-high with 13 rebounds for the Mystics, who led the entire game.

Crystal Robinson led the Liberty with a season-high 20 points and Shameka Christon added a career-high 15.

Sting 74, Monarchs 69: At Charlotte, N.C., Allison Feaster converted two free throws in the final seconds and finished with 23 points as Charlotte moved into a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference with a victory over Sacramento.

Tammy Sutton-Brown scored 17 points and Tynesha Lewis added 13 for the Sting. Feaster, who finished a point shy of her career high, capped a 9-0 run with a 3-pointer and two free throws to give Charlotte its first lead, 64-60, with 5:31 remaining.

Silver Stars 77, Comets 72: At San Antonio, LaToya Thomas scored a career-high 26 points and the Silver Stars snapped a nine-game losing streak with a victory over Houston.

Adrienne Goodson scored 14 points, Margo Dydek added 13 and Thomas finished with a team-best 10 rebounds for the Silver Stars, who won for the first time since July 15.

Tina Thompson scored 20 points, Michelle Snow finished with 14 and Sheryl Swoopes added 11 for Houston.

Sparks 81, Shock 63: At Los Angeles, Lisa Leslie recorded the third triple-double in WNBA history, finishing with 29 points, 15 rebounds and 10 blocks in a win over Detroit.