WNBA 2013: Defense paves way for Mystics’ 84-61 win over Shock

June 30, 2013, Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. – Following five straight losses, including a stretch of three games in four days, the Washington Mystics (5-6) took corrective actions and emphatically overwhelmed the Detroit Shock (3-10).

The root cause of this turn-around: Defense, with a capital D.  Following center Michelle Snow’s lead, the Mystics limited the Shock to making just 17 of 70 field goal attempts (24 percent).  Meanwhile, the Mystics were able to make more than 43 percent of their shots, while out-rebounding the Shock by 19 (48 to 29).  The Mystics were up by as many as 27 points in the second half, thus allowing the Coach Mike Thibault to rest the starters and to let the the bench consume 45 percent of the total court time.

Thibault summarized after the game, “Our energy levels are really, really good…Our players were really focused on the defensive end.  I think our offense came because of our defense.”

Photos: Washington Mystics 84, Detroit Shock 61
all photos by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine