Washington Mystics

WASHINGTON - MCI Center, normally crackling with excitement and buzz during Washington Mystics games, was as quiet as a school library in July during a game with the Charlotte Sting last month when a clamor arose. The chant, "Let's Go Mystics, Let's Go," wasn't so unusual, but the point of its origin, one of the normally sedate luxury boxes on the mezzanine level, was odd. Strange, too, was the source of the cheering, a woman in a salmon-colored business suit. But who could blame Sheila Johnson, the first black cheerleader at the University of Illinois, for getting a little rowdy at a Mystics game?

Crystal Langhorne (Maryland) scored all 16 of her points in the second half and had nine rebounds as the Washington Mystics rallied to upend the defending WNBA champion Indiana Fever, 64-60, on Sunday afternoon. It was Washington's third straight win and marked the second time the team has started a season with wins in four of its first five games. Washington went a league-worst 5-29 last season. Indiana (1-5) pulled ahead by four when it closed the third quarter on a 7-0 run. But forwards Michelle Snow and Langhorne ensured the Fever suffered its fifth straight defeat, combining for 14 of Washington's final 18 points.

WASHINGTON - Since her days at the low post at the University of Maryland, Vicky Bullett has never been at a loss for words, but this season with the Washington Mystics has left her scrambling for the right words. Bullett, an off-season acquisition for the Washington Women's National Basketball Association team, sat at her locker here at MCI Center after a close loss to the Phoenix Mercury last week, puzzled by the inconsistency and the controversy that have marked the Mystics' play to date.

Et cetera Sophia Young scored 18 points, all in the second half, as the visiting San Antonio Silver Stars handed the Washington Mystics their sixth loss in their past seven games, 78-73. Washington (3-11) got 15 points from Monique Currie and 13 from Crystal Langhorne (Maryland). The Silver Stars (10-5) have won six straight. Capitals: Washington re-signed forward Jay Beagle to a three-year contract extension Thursday. Beagle has spent his entire four-year career with the Capitals, recording career highs of four goals and five points in 41 games last season.

WASHINGTON - As bouncing leather balls and squeaking sneakers resonate throughout the practice gym at MCI Center, Pat Summitt leans on a railing overlooking the court. She's not doling out orders today. There's no new defense to install. No one is the recipient of her patented "stare." No, it's a more pacific venture than the one she has waged for 28 years as women's basketball coach at the University of Tennessee. This is a new ballgame for Pat Summitt. "I'm just going to sit back and watch," she said from her perch.

The Washington Mystics acquired former University of Maryland standout Vicky Bullett from the Charlotte Sting yesterday for forward Shalonda Enis and the 34th pick in this year's WNBA draft. Bullett, a 6-foot-3 forward, averaged 11.5 points and 6.8 rebounds last season for Charlotte and was a member of the Fluminense/Data Control team that won the Brazilian national championship in 1997-98. She led Maryland to three Atlantic Coast Conference championships and two NCAA tournament appearances, averaging 16.9 points and 8.5 rebounds from 1985 to 1989.

Blue Jays@Orioles Where -- Camden Yards When -- Tonight, 7:05; tomorrow, 4:35 p.m.; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. What now? -- The Toronto Blue Jays, third in the American League East, are still hoping against hope to catch the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Online -- www.orioles.com Pro Basketball WNBA playoffs: Sun@Mystics Where -- Verizon Center, Washington When -- Tonight, 7 What now? -- In the opener of a first-round WNBA playoff series, the Washington Mystics are looking for their second win over the Connecticut Sun, having lost two of three head-to-head matchups during the season.

WNBA With Obama on hand, Coleman leads Mystics to blowout win In front of a crowd that included President Barack Obama , former Terp Marissa Coleman had 14 points and 10 rebounds for her first career double double as the Washington Mystics cruised to an 87-62 victory over the Tulsa Shock on Sunday. Crystal Langhorne , a teammate of Coleman's at Maryland, added 11 points, and Chasity Melvin and Lindsey Harding each had 10 for Washington (15-10). The Shock (4-22)

Sonia Chase, of McDonogh and the University of Maryland, was one of six college seniors to sign with the Women's National Basketball Association, the league announced yesterday.Described by league player personnel director Renee Brown as a "quick athlete who can shoot off the dribble." Chase, 22, was Maryland's second-leading scorer. She averaged 13.6 points for the Terps (15-13) and led the Atlantic Coast Conference with 89 steals.Brown said that Chase will be one of 65 to 70 players to participate in the WNBA's pre-draft camp, April 16-18 in Chicago.

Lauren Jackson's already lighting it up in Seattle. Jackie Stiles is already struggling in Portland. The New York Liberty will be back. The Houston Comets won't be. The Miller twins, Coco and Kelly, are dealing with being apart for the first time. Cynthia Cooper is dealing with coaching for the first time. ESPN gets more games. Lifetime gets no games. The WNBA will open its fifth season today with a rematch of last season's Western Conference finals between Houston and the Los Angeles Sparks and, after that, things actually might get interesting.

Et cetera Prahalis helps Mercury edge Mystics Samantha Prahalis hit a jumper with 23.2 seconds to play to help the host Phoenix Mercury to an 80-77 win over the Washington Mystics. Prahalis had 15 points and seven rebounds, DeWanna Bonner added 19 points and seven boards while Krystal Thomas donated 15 and six for the Mercury, which ended a three-game losing streak. Michelle Snow posted 21 points and nine rebounds while Monique Currie had 20 points and six boards for the Mystics, who have lost their past two games.

Et cetera 3 Navy seniors to sign Fri. at Camden Yards Navy senior defensive ends Wes Henderson and Josh Dowling-Fitzpatrick , along with senior offensive tackle Ryan Paulson , will be signing autographs and passing out posters and schedule cards Friday night at Camden Yards before and during the Orioles' game against the Washington Nationals. The players will sign on the concourse in front of the Warehouse from 5p.m. until the top of the second inning.

WNBA Langhorne's 25 not enough as Mystics lose to Sun Crystal Langhorne (Maryland) scored 25 points and Jasmine Thomas added 17 points off the bench, but the Washington Mystics lost their third straight game Sunday, falling to the Connecticut Sun, 94-86. Monique Currie had a team-high eight rebounds. The Mystics rallied to pull within three points with just over two minutes remaining but were unable to contain Sun center Tina Charles , who thwarted Washington's comeback attempt with a 30-point performance.

Et cetera Ex-Terp Langhorne stays with Mystics WNBA All-Star forward Crystal Langhorne (Maryland) re-signed with the Washington Mystics. Langhorne led the team with 18.2points and 7.6 rebounds per game last season. NFL: The Ravens hired Chris Hewitt on Thursday to be their assistant special teams coach and promoted Matt Weiss to defensive assistant. Hewitt, 37, a Cincinnati alumnus, spent the past eight years at Rutgers, including the past two as running backs coach.

WNBA McCoughtry's 33 carry Dream past Mystics Angel McCoughtry (St. Frances) scored 33points to lead the visiting Atlanta Dream to an 86-79 victory over the Washington Mystics. Former Mystic Lindsey Harding added 14 points and Armintie Price chipped in 12 for the Dream, which scored 10 straight points down the stretch to turn a 78-76 deficit into an 86-78 lead. Sandora Irvin 's put-back off a miss by McCoughtry tied the game at 78 with just under two minutes left, and Price made a tough driving layup 30 seconds later to put Atlanta ahead for good.

Golf Hurley finishes second in Nationwide event Billy Hurley III , a former All-American at Navy, shot 8-under-par 64 Sunday and finished a career-best second in the Nationwide Chiquita Classic at TPC River's Bend in Maineville, Ohio. Russell Knox , a rookie from Scotland, earned his first tour win by posting a 6-under 66 for a 25-under 263, three strokes better than Hurley. Knox led by five strokes before Hurley got hot on the back nine, birdieing the par-five 11th and adding birdies at 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18. "My game has been close to firing on all cylinders for a while now," Hurley said.

Et cetera Mystics lose finale, get Fever in 1st round in College Park The Washington Mystics were blown out in New York by the Liberty, 86-65, in their regular-season finale Sunday after clinching a spot in the WNBA playoffs the previous night. Monique Currie had 17 points and Matee Ajavon scored 14 for the Mystics (16-18), who open the best-of-three first round Thursday against the top-seeded Indiana Fever at the University of Maryland's Comcast Center in College Park because of a scheduling conflict at Verizon Center.

WNBA Langhorne's career-best 31 points lift Mystics, 95-85 Crystal Langhorne (Maryland) scored a career-high 31points and added 10 rebounds and the Washington Mystics (9-5) won their fourth straight home game with a 95-85 win over the Phoenix Mercury (5-9) on Sunday. Lindsey Harding added 24 points for the Mystics (9-5), who have won five of their past six. Langhorne scored 27 points Thursday and has averaged 27.6 points and 13 rebounds in her past three games. Elsewhere: Iziane Castros Marques had 25points and Angel McCoughtry (St. Frances)

Wizards Unseld Jr. expected to leave for Warriors Longtime Washington Wizards assistant Wes Unseld Jr. , son of the Bullets legend, is expected to leave the franchise to become an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors. Unseld Jr., who attended Loyola High, has been with the Bullets and Wizards since he graduated from Johns Hopkins in 1997. He worked his way up from advance scout and joined former coach Eddie Jordan 's staff as an assistant. Ed Tapscott retained Unseld Jr. when Jordan was dismissed and coach Flip Saunders also kept him when he took over in 2009.

Et cetera Sagamore Farm filly wins Belmont's Matron Millionreasonswhy, a 2-year-old filly from Sagamore Farm, won the 104th running of the $150,000 Grade II Matron Stakes on Sunday at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. Under jockey John Velazquez and trained by Ignacio Correas IV , the 6-1 shot finished two lengths in front of Say a Novena while clocking six furlongs in 1minute, 12.68seconds. A $115,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Sagamore last year, Millionreasonswhy is by Grand Slam out of the listed stakes winner In Secure, by A.P. Indy.