McCray Carries Mystics, 55-42

Nikki McCray scored 15 of her game-high 23 points in the first half and the host Washington Mystics defeated the Charlotte Sting, 55-42, Sunday.

The Mystics, playing before 14,914 fans, won consecutive games for only the third time this season, snapped Charlotte’s two-game winning streak and dealt the Sting its third consecutive road loss.

Chamique Holdsclaw made four of 12 shots and finished with eight points and 12 rebounds for Washington (8-16).

Andrea Stinson led the Sting (11-14) with 10 points. Tonya Edwards added eight.

McCray made four of her first seven shots, including three of four from three-point range, to score 15 points in the first half. She made consecutive three-pointers to give the Mystics a 22-15 lead with 10:07 remaining in the first half.

Sacramento 63, Phoenix 47--Yolanda Griffith had 25 points and 17 rebounds and the host Monarchs snapped Phoenix’s franchise-record five-game winning streak.

Griffith made 11 of 16 shots.

Trisha Fallon scored 18 points and Maria Stepanova had 13 points, eight rebounds and five blocked shots for Phoenix (11-13).

Ruthie Bolton-Holifield made four three-point baskets and finished with a season-high 17 points in a reserve role for Sacramento. She had five assists.

Before a crowd of 7,768, the Monarchs (15-10) built a 17-point lead by the break.

Phoenix was four for 23 from the field and committed 10 turnovers in the first half. The Mercury finished 14 for 55 (25%).

Detroit 64, Orlando 62--Jae Kingi made two three-point baskets in the final two minutes and finished with 11 points for Detroit before 4,763 at Auburn Hills, Mich.

The Shock (7-18) used a 15-0 run late in the second half to erase a 10-point deficit and snap a three-game losing streak.

Kingi’s three-pointer with 47 seconds left broke a 60-60 tie and put the Shock ahead to stay.

Her three-pointer with 1:56 to play gave Detroit a 60-56 lead.

Edwina Brown led Detroit with 13 points, and Astou Ndiaye-Diatta scored 12.

Jessie Hicks and Taj McWilliams-Franklin each scored 15 points for Orlando (9-15).