On Saturday, the Las Vegas Aces (24-14) secured a hard fought win against the Washington Mystics (16-21).
In the first half, the Aces came out a little tight. At the 5:45 mark, the Mystics held a 15-6 lead over the Aces. The Aces were in foul trouble early. Before the two-minute mark, the Aces were over the foul limit.
To end the first quarter, the Mystics held their biggest lead, 26-19. The Aces had 4 turnovers in just the first quarter.
Las Vegas began to claw their way back to tie the game 30-30 wit 6:30 left in the first half. With 2:32 left in the half, the Aces led 37-34. A’ja Wilson did what she does best in the inside and drawing fouls to push the Aces to build their lead.
The Aces ended the first half finding some balance and a 44-39 lead.
In the third quarter, it was a quick back-and-forth between the two teams. Chelsea Gray got the line to shoot two for an upgraded flagrant foul and Jackie Young followed at the line with two shots of her own at the line. The Aces led 53-47 with under six minutes left in the third quarter.
Dana Evans came in and immediately made an impact for the Aces, shooting back-to-back three-pointers to give the Aces a 61-55 lead with 3:04 left in the third quarter.
Kiki Iriafen of the Mystics held her own in the paint against A’ja Wilson in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, NaLyssa Smith started the fourth quarter for the Aces with back-to-back field goals inside and Jewell Loyd put up a two-pointer inside of the arch.
Shakira Austin and A’ja Wilson took turns at the foul line and collecting fouls in the fourth quarter. With 5:25 left in the game, the Aces held a 79-66 lead over the Mystics.
With 3:17 left in the game, the Aces went up 81-69. The Aces began to pull away to secure the win.
The Aces extend their win streak to ten straight this season with a 91-81 win over the Mystics.
Coming off the bench, Dana Evans came up big for the Aces down the stretch scoring 21 points in 23 minutes on the court. A’ja Wilson scored 36 points, 13 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals.
In the post-game presser, Dana Evans said, “My teammates definitely believe in me, to stay aggressive, stay in attack mode.”
The Aces continue their three-game road trip against the Chicago Sky on Monday, August 25 at 5pm PT.
Aces are ready to extend longest win streak of season against the Mystics
