Mike Fratto The Washington Times - July 1, 2009, 11:40AM

Just when it seemed like the Mystics might let another second-half lead slip away, star guard Alana Beard came to the rescue.

The Mystics led by nine with 2:42 remaining before Becky Hammon scored 11 of San Antonio’s next 13 points, including consecutive 3-pointers, to tie the game at 82 with 14.2 seconds left.

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But the Mystics regrouped with a timeout. Beard took the inbounds pass from Monique Currie, ran a few seconds off the clock, drove right and hit a pull-up from the elbow.

Beard’s clutch shot was huge for two reasons. The Mystics needed this win after after going 1-3 following their 3-0 start. And more importantly, it would have been another demoralizing loss for the Mystics, who felt like they gave away the recent losses to Chicago and Phoenix.