Playoff Berth on Tap for Sting

Dawn Staley scored 13 points as the Charlotte Sting clinched a playoff berth with a 65-60 victory over the Washington Mystics Monday night at Washington.

Charlotte (15-14) extended its winning streak to four games and joined Cleveland, New York and Miami as playoff qualifiers in the Eastern Conference. The Sting, which began the season 1-10, won for the 14th time in 18 games.

Washington (9-19) had its three-game home winning streak snapped and was eliminated from playoff contention.

Vicky Bullett made a three-pointer and Annie Burgess’ steal of the inbounds pass and jump shot helped Washington cut a seven-point deficit to two, 61-59, with 45.9 seconds remaining.

Charlotte’s Andrea Stinson countered with four free throws, including two with 20.8 remaining, to seal the victory.

Stinson finished with 12 points, and Tammy Sutton-Brown added 10 for the Sting.

Washington’s Chamique Holdsclaw scored 13 of her 17 points in the first half. Bullett added 14 points for the Mystics.

Houston 62, Phoenix 48--Janeth Arcain had 18 points and five assists as the Comets spoiled Phoenix Coach Cynthia Cooper’s return to Houston and also eliminated the Mercury from playoff contention.

Cooper, who helped lead the Comets to four WNBA championships before retiring at the end of last season to become the Mercury’s coach, faced her former teammates for only the second time this season and for the first time at the Compaq Center.

Trisha Fallon scored 12 points and Maria Stepanova had nine points and 11 rebounds for the Mercury, who needed to win their five remaining games to qualify for the postseason. Phoenix (11-17), which will miss the playoffs for only the second time, fell to a league-worst 3-11 on the road.

Houston (18-10) built its lead to 20 points late in the first half. The Comets grabbed a 17-15 lead in the opening 6:46 and then broke it open with 19-1 run.

Phoenix used a 12-3 run midway through the second half to close within eight with 3:32 remaining but Houston held off the Mercury down the stretch to seal the victory.

Phoenix, which got six first-half points from Fallon and Stepanova, trailed 38-23 at the break.