Mystics utilize second-half run to blast Mercury

Alana Beard scored 19 points, and the Washington Mystics pulled away in the second half to beat the Phoenix Mercury 77-56 Tuesday night in Washington.

Beard made three jumpers in a 17-3 run that broke open a close game against the Mercury, who went cold after rallying to tie the score early in the second half.

The victory gave the Mystics their first winning streak of the season. They have also won four straight at home.

Anna DeForge scored 18 points and Diana Taurasi added 16 for the Mercury, but 30 of their combined 34 points came in the first half. The pair got little help, with the rest of the team shooting 8 for 28 from the field. The Mercury have lost three of four.

Liberty 77, Silver Stars 59: At New York, Ann Wauters tied a career high with 20 points, and Becky Hammon added 17 and a season-high nine assists to lead New York to a victory over San Antonio.

Shameka Christon added 14 points for the Liberty, winners of three straight and four of their last five.

Chantelle Anderson and Marie Ferdinand scored 14 points apiece for San Antonio, which lost its fourth straight.

The Silver Stars dropped to 0-6 on the road in the opener of a four-game trip. They also began a stretch in which they play seven of 10 away from home.

Wauters had her highest total since also scoring 20 against Utah on June 30, 2002, while playing for the defunct Cleveland Rockers.

New York beat the San Antonio franchise for the sixth straight time – including 4-0 since the Silver Stars moved from Utah in 2003.