WASHINGTON – Alana Beard scored 12 of her 16 points in the second half to lead the Washington Mystics to a 65-58 comeback victory over the Houston Comets on Wednesday.

Washington trailed by 14 at halftime but outscored Houston 17-1 _ including a stretch of 11 straight points _ during the last 5:59 to win its third straight.

The Comets did not score a field goal during the decisive span and lost on the road for the eighth time in nine games this season.

Washington’s Monique Currie had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and DeLisha Milton-Jones had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Tina Thompson led Houston with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Thompson’s jumper with 5:59 gave Houston a 57-48 lead. The Comets didn’t score again until Thompson made the second of two free throws with 1:49 to play.

Beard, meanwhile, sparked Washington’s comeback.

After a spin move on the right block, she scored a layup that made the score 57-56 with 3:28 remaining. She was fouled on the shot but missed the ensuing free throw.

Nakia Sanford tied it 57-57 with the first of two free throws. She missed the second but rebounded it and scored a layup with 2:17 remaining to cap the Mystics’ 11-0 run and put them in front for the first time since they led 2-0.

Another layup by Beard increased Washington’s lead to 61-58 with 1:13 to play.

The Mystics held on while Houston’s cold shooting continued. The Comets were 0-for-10 and turned the ball over three times during the last 5:59.

Houston outrebounded Washington 25-15 in the first half to build a 36-22 lead at the break. A particularly sloppy sequence by the Mystics late in the half prompted interim coach Tree Rollins _ who had labeled this game a “must-win” for his team _ to bow his head and take a seat on the bench.

The Mystics, however, returned for the second half with increased energy _ and it showed on the boards. Washington outrebounded Houston 28-14 after halftime.

A service of the Associated Press(AP)