Arlington, Tex.- Despite a big game from Skylar Diggins and Aerial Powers, the Wings racked up thier 11th straight loss Sunday as the Mystics edged them, 88-83.
Diggins had 25 points and Powers recorded for first career double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Tayler Hill lead the Mystics out of their two-game skid with 25 points. She said the Mystics will have to find a way to play together for entire game, not just the second half.
“Every game is a playoff game for us, for Dallas, for a lot of teams in that mix,” Hill said. “We’ve got to come out like a playoff game, come out with that confidence so we can win and keep going.”
The Wings have had to play through injuries through this entire season. Glory Johnson was in the starting lineup, but she went down with an apparent knee injury in the first quarter. She was able to walk off the court on her own, but she did not return. In the second quarter, Diggins scored 10 of her 25 points and the Wings closed the half up 42-40.
“For us it’s easy to fold,” Diggins said. “It’s tougher to persevere through when things aren’t going our way, but it’s all about the bigger picture.”
The Wings put themselves in position to win in the second half, but much like many other games this season they were unable to close it out. On the final possession of the game Odyssey Sims, who had 16 for the day, attempted a three-point shot was blocked by Latoya Sanders with 10 seconds left.
The game was sealed at the line by Hill, who made seven of eight free throw shots in the final 2:09. The Wings are falling further out of the playoff picture, but Diggins said that they will continue to put in the work to try to win ball games.
“Right now it doesn’t seem like Lady Luck is on your side it’s frustrating,” Diggins said. “The losses are embarrassing; we just have to say positive and finish the season strong.”
Dallas has four games remaining in he regular season, and they will likely be without Johnson as she returned to the sideline on crutches. The Wings do not play again until Friday against San Antonio Stars who were eliminated from playoff contention with their loss today.