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WNBA: Jackson’s record-setting night not enough

Seattle Storm's Betty Lennox goes to the basket against the Washington Mystics' Tamara James on Tuesday. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review
Seattle Storm's Betty Lennox goes to the basket against the Washington Mystics' Tamara James on Tuesday. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Lauren Jackson had one of the greatest performances in WNBA history, and it still wasn’t enough for the Seattle Storm.

Jackson tied the league record with 47 points, but the Storm lost 97-96 in overtime to the Washington Mystics on Tuesday night in Washington. It was the fifth time in league history that a player scored 40 or more points.

“If we had won, I probably would go out until 6 o’clock in the morning and celebrated, definitely, but I am going home,” Jackson said.

Jackson, who also had 14 rebounds and just one turnover in 42 minutes, tied the scoring mark by Phoenix’s Diana Taurasi, who scored 47 in a 111-110 triple-overtime win at Houston last August. The Aussie center also broke the league record for field goals with 18, breaking the record of 17 which she held with Taurasi.

Alana Beard scored 27 points, including Washington’s final seven, to pace the Mystics, who have won eight of 11 and moved within a half-game out of a playoff spot despite having started the season with eight straight losses.

Monique Currie added 23 points and DeLisha Milton-Jones 22 for the Mystics, who overcame a dominant night from Jackson, the 2003 league MVP.

Jackson scored 33 points for the Storm after halftime, including a stretch in which she had 23 of the Storm’s 27 points. Hitting from all angles, the All-Star made 16 of her first 20 shots from the field before tiring late and missing six of her final eight shots.

“Sometimes you shoot really badly, and sometimes you shoot really well,” said Jackson, who was 9 for 11 from the foul line. “For me, it’s like hit or miss, and I just shot really well tonight.”

Iziane Castro Marques scored 16 points and Sue Bird added 12 for the Storm, who have lost four of five.

Monarchs 67, Sparks 59: At Sacramento, Calif., Ticha Penicheiro scored 19 points and had six assists, helping the Monarchs defeat Los Angeles.

Not known for her scoring, Penicheiro poured in 11 points and made several clutch baskets in the fourth quarter.

Silver Stars 71, Fever 63 (OT): At Indianapolis, Sophia Young scored 24 points, including four in overtime, to lead San Antonio to a win over Indiana.

Shock 92, Sun 88: At Uncasville, Conn., Deanna Nolan scored 19 of her career- and franchise-best 36 points in the second half and Detroit defeated Connecticut.