Photo: “Ariel Atkins” by Lorie Shaull is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
The Washington Mystics was firing on all cylinders in this game which proved tough for the Atlanta Dream to stop. The Mystics dominated the Dream 96-75 on Saturday in their new home, the Entertainment & Sports Arena.
One of the biggest advantages for the Mystics in this game was their shooting as the team stayed above 60% for three quarters. The fourth quarter was the only quarter that Washington dipped as the team shot 40% ( 6-15). The last quarter was the only quarter of the game where the Dream bested the Mystics in shooting percentage as the team shot 52.9% (9-17).
Washington shot 56.7 % (38-67) for the game and Atlanta shot 42.3 % (30-71). The Mystics also bested the Dream in drowning those three pointers as the team had a 36.0% shooting percentage (9-25) and Atlanta had a 23.8% shooting percentage (5-21). Washington also hit their free throws shots at more consistent rate then the Dream as the team shot 84.6% ( 11-13) at the foul line and Atlanta shot 58.8% (10 – 17).
The Mystics also had the advantage in rebounds (35-28), assists (27-9), steals (6-5) and blocked shots (6-1).
The rebound advantage also tells a story for the game as Washington limited the Dream’s opportunities of getting the ball after a missed shot. Atlanta only had 12 offensive rebounds for the game.
The block advantage for the Mystics also show that the team was ready for the Dream’s firepower which they quieted most of the night.
The Dream won the turnover battle in the game by 13-14.
The leading scorer for Washington in this game was point guard Ariel Atkins with 21 points.
Four other Mystics scored in double-digits in the win which they were small forward Elena Delle Donne (18), forward Emma Meesseman (14), power forward Kristi Toliver (10) and guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (10).
The leading scorers for Atlanta in this game were point guard Tiffany Hayes and guard Alex Bentley with a 11.
Mystics Come Firing In The First For Early Lead
In the first quarter, the Mystics did not miss much as the team shot 61.1 % (11-18).
The Dream struggled with their shooting in the first quarter as the team shot 36.8 % (7-19).
The quarter started with Washington jumping out to a quick 10-2 lead which was thanks to Elena Delle Donne who scored six of the ten points.
The Mystics in the first quarter always had the lead but it was at the 39.7 second mark where the team took full control of the game as guard Myisha Hines-Allen would hit a hook shot to put the team up ten points with a 24-14 lead.
As the quarter winded down, Washington’s Shatori Walker-Kimbrough would hit two free throws to extend her team’s lead to 26-16 to end the quarter.
Washington Keeps Their Foot On The Gas To Extend Dominating Lead
In the second quarter, the fire was still blazing for the Mystics as the team shot 61.1 % (11-18).
The Dream’s shooting improved in the second quarter as the team shot 47.1 % (8-17).
The second quarter started with Washington going on a 14-3 run which expanded their lead to 40-19 with 5:27 left in the half. The run was led by Emma Meesseman (six points) and forward Tianna Hawkins ( six points) who combined for 12 points in the time span.
The Atlanta Dream would outscore the Mystics 16-12 for the rest of the quarter but still would be trailing by 17 at halftime. The standout for the Dream in this quarter was shooting guard Renee Montgomery who had seven points and caught on fire in the later minutes of the quarter.
The Mystics would take a 52-35 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Dream Continue To Chase The Blazing Mystics In Third Qtr
In the third quarter, Washington kept on rolling as the team shot 62.5 % (10-16).
Atlanta would falter in their shooting in the third quarter as the team shot 33.3 % (6-18).
The third quarter started with another Washington run as the team outscored the Dream 16-7 to take a 68-42 lead with 5:02 left in the quarter.Ariel Atkins led the Mystics on the run with scoring 12 of the 16 points.
At the 4:30 mark, Mystics would start on a 17-5 run which would give them a 79-47 lead with 1:30 left in the quarter. Emma Meesseman would be the leader on this run for the Mystics as she scored six of the 17 points.
The last score of the quarter came from Atlanta’s power forward Jessica Breland who hit a put back lay up to decrease Mystics lead to 79-49.
Dream Out shoot Mystics In Fourth Quarter But Washington Takes Home Win
In the fourth quarter, the Mystics shooting cooled down as the team shot a game low 40.0 % (6-15).
The Dream shot a game high of 52.9 % (9-17) in the fourth quarter.
The last quarter started with Atlanta going on a 16-3 run which cut the deficit to 82-65 with 4:05 remaining in the game. Alex Bentley would lead the Dream on that run as she scored seven of the 16 points.
The Mystics would outscore the Dream 14-10 for the rest of the quarter to take a dominating 96-75 win at home.
Outside the First State 