LAS VEGAS (June 5, 2021)—The Las Vegas Aces (7-3) moved to within a game of the front-running Seattle Storm, Saturday afternoon, as Liz Cambage (24), Jackie Young (22) and Riquna Williams (20) each topped the 20-point mark in a, 96-93, road win over the Washington Mystics (2-5).
KEY RUNS
First Quarter (Washington 29, Las Vegas 24)
Both teams struggled early as the Aces missed their first 2 shots, and the Mystics missed their first shot, and committed 3 turnovers. Las Vegas scored 7 of the first 9 points of the game, but the Mystics netted 12 of the next 16 to take their first lead. A 7-0 run later in the quarter helped Washington turn a one-point advantage into an 8-point cushion with 2:40 to go. Riquna Williams led all scorers in the quarter with 12 points. The Mystics made 13 of 21 shots in the period, while the Aces went 7 for 19.
Second Quarter (Washington 57, Las Vegas 56)
It was a 3-point Mystics lead, 31-28, early in the second, when Washington went on a 13-5 run to extend the advantage to a game-high 11. The Mystics still led by 10 with 4:52 remaining, but the Aces scored 13 of the next 15 to re-gain the lead. The teams traded the lead back and forth four times over the last two minutes.
Washington’s Myisha Hines-Allen and Tina Charles combined to score 20 points in the quarter, going 9 for 15 from the field. For Las Vegas, Jackie Young was a perfect 4 for 4 from the field and 2 for 2 from the free throw line in the period for 10 points, while Liz Cambage led the Aces with 14 points on 6 of 9 shooting.
Third Quarter (Las Vegas 78, Washington 75)
Las Vegas scored 9 of the first 11 points of the period to go up six, 65-59. The Mystics tied the game on 2 occasions. Washington went 8 for 8 from the free throw line in the period, while the aces went 2 for 2.
Fourth Quarter (Las Vegas 96, Washington 93)
The Aces opened the stanza on a 12-2 run to go up 13, 90-77. Washington tied the score, 90-90, by stringing together 13 straight points. An A’ja Wilson put back gave Las Vegas the lead again with 41.2 to go, and the Aces hit four free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
KEY STATS
It has been 449 days since Breonna Taylor was murdered.
Las Vegas went 24 for 27 from the free throw line, while the Mystics went 14 for 19.
Washington made 11 of 30 three-pointers, while Las Vegas connected on 6 of 16.
The Aces outscored Washington 15-9 in second chance points.
Las Vegas outscored the Mystics 42-32 in the paint.
GAME NOTES
A’ja Wilson has scored in double figures in 40 consecutive regular season games dating back to the 2019 season (15 points tonight). She has scored in double figures 88 times in her 91-game career. She has also scored 20 or more points 4 times this year, and 44 times in her career.
Wilson added a season-high 15 rebounds for her 3rd double-double of the season, and the 23rd of her career.
Jackie Young scored in double figures for the 7th time this season, and the 26th time in her career (22 points).
Liz Cambage scored in double figures for the 10th game this season, and the 108th time in her career (24 points). It is also her second 20+ point game this season, and 36th of her career. She added 11 rebounds for her 3rd double-double this season, and the 36th of her career
Riquna Williams scored a season-high 20 points. It is her 4th double-digit game of the year, and 104th of her career. It is also her 30th career 20-point game.
NEXT OPPONENT
Las Vegas is off for the next week before hosting the Dallas Wings on Sunday, June 13 at 3:00 pm PT.