WASHINGTON — Natasha Cloud and Ariel Atkins every scored 14 factors and the Mystics beat the new-look Liberty 80-64 on Friday night time to offer longtime assistant Eric Thibault a win in his teaching debut.
Elena Delle Donne added 13 factors and Kristi Toliver scored 10 in her return to Washington after spending two seasons in Los Angeles.
The Liberty, which had been labeled a brilliant group through the offseason, shot simply 34 % from the sphere and turned it over 20 occasions within the season opener for each groups.
Cloud blocked Sabrina Ionescu’s shot on the halftime buzzer to maintain Washington’s lead at 39-26. The Liberty began the sport making simply 5 of 23 photographs and completed the half capturing 27 %.
Cloud sank a jumper from the free throw line to increase Washington’s result in 56-37 with 2:54 left within the third quarter.
Ionescu led the Liberty with 18 factors. Breanna Stewart had 12 factors and 12 rebounds regardless of selecting up her fourth foul with 3:42 left within the third quarter.
The Liberty have excessive expectations this season after including former MVPs Jonquel Jones via a commerce and Stewart as a free agent. In addition they signed All-Star level guard Courtney Vandersloot.
Jones scored 5 factors in 19 minutes and Vandersloot had eight factors and 6 assists.
