Washington ? Ukari Figgs scored 16 points as the Portland Fire handed the Washington Mystics their season-high fifth straight loss, 67-65 Friday night.

The Mystics fell a game behind the New York Liberty, who beat the Miami Sol Friday, in the Eastern Conference.

“I feel that we broke out of our rut to a great degree, we just did not win,” Washington coach Marianne Stanley said. “We have to appreciate the fact that we played together as a team, we played hard, and we could have easily been saying: ‘Hey, great win. We’re out of the rut.”‘

The Fire (16-13), fighting for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, snapped a three-game road losing streak.

Chamique Holdsclaw led the Mystics (15-11) with 26 points and nine rebounds. Annie Burgess added 11 points and Muriel Page had a season-high six assists.

Lynx 75, Mercury 51

Minneapolis Katie Smith scored 20 of her 22 points in the second half Friday night, leading Minnesota past the Phoenix 75-51.

Liberty 66, Sol 54

New York Vickie Johnson scored 20 points and Tamika Whitmore added 19 as the New York defeated Miami 66-54 Friday night.