WNBA 2017: Mystics rally in final five minutes, beat Sun 78-76

Verizon Center, Washington, D.C., May 31, 2017 – The Washington Mystics were behind the Connecticut Sun by nine points with 4:33 to go.

Then the home team scored nine straight points in a span of two minutes to tie the score at 73-73.  Mystics center Krystal Thomas contributed five points, including two layups with assists from Tierra Ruffin-Pratt and Tayler Hill.

After being hacked in the arm and head by the Sun’s Jonquel Jones, it was Elena Delle Donne who put the Mystics ahead, 78-75, with just 44.8 seconds to go with a gutsy layup and subsequent foul shot.

The Mystics (4-2) managed to pen a win even though they were playing poorly offensively, shooting just 35 percent for the game.  The heroics by Delle Donne came just in time as, until then, she had made just two of 14 shot attempts, but contributed 4 assists and 12 rebounds.  Hill was the Mystics’ high scorer with 18 points, while Connecticut forward Shekinna Stricklen (20 points) and center Jones (14 points, 13 rebounds) led the Sun (1-5).

Photos: WNBA 2017: Washington Mystics 78, Connecticut Sun 76
all photos by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine

Tayler Hill led all Mystics scorers with 18 points. (photo by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

Three Connecticut players try to stop Elena Delle Donne, who had an off shooting night until the last minute of the game. (photo by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine)