:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49779169/Hill-Mystics.0.0.jpg)
Atlanta, GA -- A lively crowd gathered at Philips Arena to watch the five-game winning streak slip through the Atlanta Dream's fingers, losing to the Washington Mystics 86-79.
The Dream came out of the gate firing on all pistons scoring nine unanswered points within the first two minutes of the game.
After a lengthy timeout for technical difficulties, Washington's Emma Meesseman and Tayler Hill shattered the Dream lead with an 8-0 run, leaving the Mystics trailing by a single point.
"That lull really hurt us," said Dream Head Coach Michael Cooper. "It let Washington refocus as far as strategy."
However, Angel McCoughtry and Elizabeth Williams fought to push the Dream ahead of the Mystics, ending the quarter 22-19.
At the start of the second quarter, however, the Dream fell victim to the Mystics aggression, and Washington took full advantage.
"I think we came out and played really well today," said Tayler Hill. "We bought into coach's game plan and played really well. The bench was big for us today."
The Mystics scored an unbelievable 40 points from the bench throughout the game.
Washington's Ivory Latta and Ally Malott propelled the Mystics ahead of the Dream with 17 points collectively in the second quarter.
McCoughtry, however, fought to keep the Dream alive with shots as quick as her thinking, scoring 18 points in the half. Williams also contributed a good 11 points.
However, despite the Dream's efforts, and McCoughtry's incredible buzzer-beater three-pointer, the Dream trailed the Mystics, 43-44, at the end of the half.
The Mystics' came into the second half strong with Tayler Hill and Natasha Cloud scoring a combined 6 points within the first minute, strengthening Washington's lead.
"[The Mystics] would grab our rebounds and then hit a three," said McCoughtry. "That's what really tripped us."
The crowd became as electric and thunderous as Atlanta's stormy skies while the excitement of the third quarter grew.
The Dream fought tenaciously, but 6 points from Mystics' Emma Meesseman throughout the quarter pushed Washington ahead even further, ending the quarter ahead, 67-59.
The entire Atlanta crowd tried to motivate their team to mount a fourth quarter comeback.
But, it would be for naught, as the energetic crowd and McCoughtry's team-high 28 points was not enough for the Dream to overcome their inconsistent rebounding, and the aggressive play in the paint from the Mystics.