ARLINGTON, Texas – Emily Engstler scored a personal-high 19 points to lead a dominant performance from the Washington Mystics bench in a decisive 90-86 win over the Dallas Wings on Tuesday night.
Both teams started the night 9-23, losing after three straight wins that had rekindled their playoff hopes. They began the battle for the final playoff spot two games behind Chicago and Atlanta, both of whom have seven games left.
Ariel Atkins added 14 points and Julie Vanloo and reserve Shatori Walker-Kimbrough each scored 11 points for the Mystics, who started the season 0-12.
Washington’s substitute scored 50 points to 13 for the Wings, who trailed by 16 with less than five minutes left and missed three shots in the final seconds. The Mystics missed their last nine shots.
Arike Ogunbowale scored 21 points to lead Dallas, scoring three in the first half and 11 in the final five minutes. Teaira McCowan had 20 points and 13 rebounds, Natasha Howard had 14 points, Satou Sabally 12 and Kalani Brown 10.
Ogunbowale scored 34 points on Sunday and set a league record with nine three-pointers, but Dallas made 4 of 18 shots and scored 48 points through the net.
The Mystics, who never trailed after Vanloo’s three-pointer tied the game 5-5, were 9 of 16 from beyond the arc in the first half as they took a 51-39 lead and finished 12 of 30.
Washington won the season series 3-0.
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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
