North Carolina State University Athletics
Stinson Stings Mystics
7/27/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
CHARLOTTE, NC (Ticker) - The backcourt duo of Andrea Stinson and Dawn Staley was too much for the Washington Mystics on July 26. Stinson and Staley both enjoyed career nights as the WNBA's Charlotte Sting matched their best offensive output of the season in an 87-80 victory over the disappointing Mystics.
Stinson, a former NC State star, scored a team-record 33 points while Staley handed out a club-record 13 assists. Stinson surpassed her previous team mark of 29 established on July 9, 1997. Staley's assist total was three more than Stinson had on June 29, 1997.
"I just came out and played. I had fun," Stinson said. "I try to do what the team needs. I think we're having fun and enjoying the game. We're laughing and not getting down if we make mistakes."
"They were terrific. They are playing well, playing both ends of the court," Charlotte coach T.R. Dunn said. "Their defensive efforts from our guards and offensive efforts are great and we need them." Charlotte Smith added a season-high 16 points for the Sting, who have won four of their last five games following a dreadful 3-17 start. It was the highest output for Charlotte since an 87-85 overtime victory at Portland on June 20.
The Mystics, who endured a coaching change earlier this season, have dropped seven of their last 10 games. Stinson made 11-of-16 shots and was also effective at the line, converting 11-of-12. She helped the Sting shoot an impressive 56 percent (29-of-52) from the floor.
"Stinson flat-out destroyed us. Nobody could or wanted to step up and accept the challenge she presented," Mystics coach Darrell Walker said.
Vicky Bullett made a pair of free throws with 4:46 left in the first half to give the Mystics a 29-26 lead. But Stinson scored eight points as Charlotte closed the half on 14-5 run and assumed a 40-34 advantage at intermission. Keisha Anderson had 11 assists for Washington, which shot 48 percent (30-of-63) and was outrebounded, 30-27.
