The Washinton Mystics, by a score of 64-61, defeated the Minnesota Lynx, in a must-win game for the Mystics. Alana Beard led the Mystics with 23 points (8-9 from the floor and 7-7 from the line) and 3 steals.

Speaking of Beard, here is an interesting breakdown:

Games 1-18:
7.6 points per game, 32.8 percent from the floor, 9.1 percent from three, and 62.1 percent from the line.

Games 19-22:
21 points per game, 63.8 percent from the floor, 75 percent from three, 77.7 percent from the line.

Due to her performances over the last four games, Beard is now shooting over 40 percent overall (for the first time this season) and is averaging just over 10 points per game. 

Unfortunately, Chamique Holdsclaw is shooting 28.9 percent in those four games...and the Mystics are 1-3 during that stretch.

UPDATE: Apparently, the final score was 65-61, as the WNBA scoreboard did not register the free throw from Chasity Melvin at the 7:39 mark.  Thank goodness for Yahoo and for the good people in the Lynx organization.  Hope Katie Smith's knee is okay...