WASHINGTON (AP) — Crystal Langhorne had 24 points and 15 rebounds, and the Washington Mystics moved into a first-place tie in the Eastern Conference with an 82-72 win over the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday.
Matee Ajavon scored 15 points and Chasity Melvin added 12 points as the Mystics (13-7) took the lead less than three minutes into the game, then used second and third-quarter runs to extend their lead to 19 points.
With the win, Washington snapped a two-game losing streak and jumped a half game ahead of Atlanta in the East.
The Dream (14-9) trailed 56-37 with 3:20 remaining in the third quarter, but they opened the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run, capped by Angel McCoughtry's three-pointer with 8:53 remaining to pull within seven at 62-55.
However, they would not get any closer en route to losing their fourth straight game, all on the road, falling from first to third place in the East.
McCoughtry finished with 23 points and Iziane Castro Marques scored 17 points.
Langhorne got off to a fast start against the Dream. She scored 14 points early on 7 of 10 shooting, and the Mystics closed the second quarter on a 12-4 run to lead 41-29 at the half.
With a double-digit lead midway through the third quarter, Washington increased its advantage to 19 as Langhorne started a 9-0 run with a layup and a putback.
The Dream struggled early, missing 10 of their first 11 shots.
Langhorne, who has nine double-doubles this season, was perfect on three interior shots as the Mystics led 21-16 after one.
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