SUPER BOWL 2012

The Mystics Put on a Good Show for the kiddies at the team's annual lunch-time classic today. A highly competitive see-saw battle right up until the final couple of minutes. Nevertheless, after 40 minutes of hard work, the Mystics still found themselves on the wrong end of the teeter totter, losing to the Dream, 86-79.

The camp counselors had to be thrilled. The kiddies, well-equipped with red and white plastic clappers (made in China), did plenty of clapping, cheering and (of course) screaming. What they weren't doing was fidgeting or misbehaving. The game was exciting . . . and entertaining. Considering how truly disgusting the weather was outside today (mid-90s and humid), indoor air-conditioned Mystics Camp Day was manna from heaven for campers and counselors alike.

Once again, the game began with Lang carrying the Mystics offensively until her teammates managed to warm up. Crystal scored 14 of Washington's 22 first quarter points. The Mystics led by 3 at the end of ten minutes, and took a 1-point lead into the locker room at halftime.

In the second half, Marissa really heated up, scoring 11 points in the 3rd quarter, including three buckets from beyond the arc. But although Atlanta was playing the second half of a back-to-back and dressed only 8 players, the Mystics couldn't quite shake loose of Angel McCoughtry or the rest of the Dream. The teams were tied at the end of three periods, 63-63. More of the same in the final period . . . a tight see-saw contest. Finally, with under a minute and a half remaining, the Dream broke a 78-78 tie, and held on to claim the win.

Lang led the Mystics with 24 points (and 10 boards, for another double-double). Marissa wasn't far behind, finishing with 21. Nicky did the dirty work in the paint, grabbing a game-high 14 rebounds. But unfortunately for the Mystics and their fans, Angel McCoughtry had one of her all-too-familiar big games, leading all scorers with 33 points. Lindsey Harding added 14 for Atlanta in her first trip back to the Phone Booth after changing uniforms. (The BCs sure do miss her!)

At the risk of sounding a little like a broken record (for our readers old enough to remember vinyl), it was a good effort today from the Mystics . . . just not good enough for a W. With back-to-back victories over the Fever and the Mystics, Atlanta (at 6-9) is beginning to climb back into playoff contention. Meanwhile, the Mystics (at 3-11 after today's loss) have solidified their claim on last place in the Eastern Conference standings.

All of the Mystics (except for Lang) will now get a little time off before hosting San Antonio next Tuesday night. Lang, who was named yesterday to the 2011 WNBA All Star Team, will be traveling to San Antonio this weekend to play for the East in this season's showcase of the League's top talent. You can catch the game on ABC at 3:30 PM on Saturday. Congratulations and good luck to Lang! Go East!