Preseason: Mystics 74, Liberty 56

Well an 18 point victory of any sort, preseason or otherwise, isn't something that's been seen in Verizon Center for quite some time. Actually the Mystics won only one game in 2008 by a double-digit margin and that was an 89-57 win over Seattle on July 20, 2008. It's still only preseason but the Mystics played a rather disciplined game -- sending New York to the foul line just six times -- for a confidence-building win in their final tuneup for the regular season.

Easily the most noticeable part of this game was the play of Matee Ajavon. The Mystics haven't had speed like hers in their lineup often, if at all. She led all scorers with 17 points but her four steals were more impressive and really highlighted her second-step acceleration.

"She definitely is one of our most explosive players," Coach Julie Plank said. "She gets to the rim with the best of them. She's very good at pick and roll because she can attack that paint and she's not afraid to take a big shot as well."

More on Ajavon
Ajavon might be the closest thing to a living, breathing example of Plank's system that relies on forcing turnovers that turn into fast breaks. Saying Plank wants the team to run the floor may be an understatement.

"I like to push the tempo," Plank said. "I do think we could run more we did run very well in the beginning of the game. ...I want to be able to score in the 80s and 90s."

That mindset fits in with the style Ajavon learned at Rutgers, where she focused on defense and the transition game.

"I've always been defense first," said Ajavon, who is in her second WNBA season. "I always try to keep my hands active, be aggressive and get that to build off for the offense and that's exactly what the coaches have focused on. I came from a system in college where my coach stressed defense and I really think I fit into this program."

New Jersey Connection
For those who might have wondered, Ajavon and Crystal Langhorne were part of the same basketball circles while they were growing up in New Jersey. They never played together though before this year with the Mystics.

So what does Langhorne, a post player, think of Plank's system that her friend seems so cut out for?

"I love it," Langhorne said. "That's what we did at Maryland and I love to play like that. It's fun for everyone."

Ch-Ch-Changes
After turning the ball over 20 times in the first preseason game at New York, the Mystics wanted to take much better care of the ball and were largely successful today. Washington committed just 16 turnovers to the Liberty's 26.

The Mystics also cut down the damage they did to themselves, sending the Liberty, who scored 24 points from free throws a week ago, to the foul line only six times.

"I think the biggest difference was the fouls," Plank said. We were "not really fouling as much, and playing without [reaching]. I think we can improve a lot defensively though...I'm never pleased when they score a basket, but I think we're learning."

By Katie Carrera  |  May 28, 2009; 3:56 PM ET
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