Young takes over late as Aces beat Mystics

Young poured in 15 points, including a 3 at the buzzer that pushed the lead to 25-16. She celebrated toward the crowd after the make as Las Vegas closed the quarter shooting 53 percent with seven assists on nine field goals.

Offense goes cold

The game shifted quickly in the second quarter. Las Vegas missed its first five shots, while Washington opened the period on an 8-0 run and cut the lead to 25-24. Turnovers and missed shots stalled an Aces offense that had looked ready to pull away.

Wilson finally ended the drought with a free throw, then buried her first field goal on a turnaround jumper. Talbot followed with a 3, while Young added another from deep. However, foul trouble complicated the response as Gray and NaLyssa Smith each picked up their third.

Washington won the quarter 16-13, but Las Vegas still carried a 38-32 lead into halftime. The Mystics held a 20-14 rebounding edge and led 22-14 in the paint. Still, the Aces forced 11 first-half turnovers and went 10-for-11 at the line.

Lead under pressure

Washington kept pushing after halftime. The Mystics answered a 42-32 deficit with a 7-0 run, then Shakira Austin’s tough finish gave them their first lead, 49-47, with 3:07 left.

Wilson helped steady Las Vegas with a 3 off a Gray assist, while Young added a paint score. Jewell Loyd then delivered two 3s late in the quarter, providing a needed lift after a quiet first half. Mai Yamamoto also attacked the rim for two free throws and later found Wilson inside.

Austin briefly left for the locker room late in the third after going down on a tough finish, then returned to start the fourth. Washington still won the period 23-20 and pushed its paint advantage to 34-18. However, Las Vegas recovered from losing the lead and entered the fourth ahead 58-55.

Young takes over

Washington tied the game at 62 with 6:47 remaining, but Young answered immediately. She scored the Aces’ next 12 points with two 3s, a strong right-handed finish and four free throws. Her second 3 made it 74-64 and pushed her to 32 points, topping her previous season high of 29.

Smith also made key plays in the fourth. She scored after an offensive rebound, then later came up with a steal. Gray and Loyd worked the ensuing possession back and forth before Loyd buried a 3 for a 79-68 lead.

Austin returned to start the fourth and finished with 29 points for Washington. Still, Las Vegas closed out the final stretch and won the quarter 25-21. Young finished 10-for-14 from the field, hit five 3s and added five assists as the Aces moved to 24-11.

Up next

The Aces host the Minnesota Lynx on Aug. 15 at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. PT on CBS.