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Monday, Aug. 7 7:30pm ET
Miracle keep Mystics waiting | |||||
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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) -- Nykesha Sales scored 14 of her 16 points in the second half as the Orlando Miracle prolonged the Washington Mystics' pursuit of a playoff spot with a 65-57 triumph. Taj McWilliams scored 13 first-half points on 6-of-8 shooting to stake the Miracle (16-15) to a 30-27 advantage. But the 6-2 center suffered a sprained right ankle shortly after intermission and did not return. Sales made sure McWilliams was not missed. The 6-foot shooting guard hit 6-of-11 shots over the final 20 minutes and scored four points during a decisive 12-3 run that gave Orlando a 47-36 lead with 9:27 to play. "Nykesha Sales had that `eye of the tiger' look in her eyes tonight," Orlando coach Carolyn Peck said. "She refused to lose and wasn't going to let this team lose. She was more vocal tonight than she's been all year." "T.J. (McWilliams) was our go-to player in the first half and once she went down, others had to step up," Sales said. The Miracle already have clinched a playoff spot and set a club record with their 16th win of the season. Orlando went 15-17 in its inaugural 1999 campaign. "I can't say enough about this team," Peck said. "The fortitude, the gumption, the guts they have is amazing. They step up strong. They have the mentality right now of getting it done. That's the kind of defensive effort we need for the playoffs." Chamique Holdsclaw had 14 points, 12 rebounds and six assists for the Mystics (13-18), who squandered their second straight chance to nail down the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Washington needs to win its season finale against Cleveland on Wednesday or have Detroit lose against New York that night to qualify. "You want to go into the playoffs on a winning note," Washington coach Darrell Walker said. "Why would you want anybody to control your destiny? We didn't get it done and I feel we have a chance to get into the playoffs and make some noise. But people are going to have to step up." Holdsclaw's layup with 16:25 to play got Washington within 35-33 before the Miracle pulled away for good. Cintia dos Santos made a seven-footer, Carla McGhee a layup and Shannon Johnson added a short jumper to give Orlando a 41-33 advantage with 12:24 left. Sales made an eight-footer and a layup to extend the cushion to 47-36 and the Miracle cruised thereafter. Adrienne Johnson scored 13 points and Shannon Johnson added 10 for Orlando, which shot 43 percent (25-of-58) and forced 16 turnovers. "You hope certain players can step up," Adrienne Johnson said. "I thought tonight Nykesha carried us." Vicky Bullett scored 14 points, Keisha Anderson 11 and Nikki McCray added 10 for Washington, which shot 36 percent (21-of-58) and held 31-29 rebounding edge. | ALSO SEE WNBA Scoreboard RECAPS Orlando 65 Washington 57 AUDIO/VIDEO   Nikki McCray steals and dishes to Chamique Holdsclaw.avi: 741 k RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1 | |||||