McCoughtry scores 31, Dream eliminate Mystics with 94-91 win

ATLANTA (AP) Angel McCoughtry scored 31 points and the Atlanta Dream beat Washington 94-91 on Thursday night to stay in contention for a double-bye while eliminating the Mystics from the playoff race.

Fourth-ranked Atlanta (17-16) can still surpass Chicago (17-15) for the No. 4 seed in the playoffs. The Phoenix Mercury clinched the No. 8 seed with Washington's loss.

McCoughtry's pull-up basket with 1:35 left capped an 8-1 run and gave the Dream a 90-87 lead. Emma Meesseman answered with a jumper and Tayler Hill made both free throws with 13.7 seconds both to give the Mystics (13-20) a one-point lead.

Tiffany Hayes put the Dream back in front for good on a left-handed scoop shot with 9.4 seconds left and Layshia Clarendon added a pair of free throws with 4.0 seconds to go.

Hayes had 21 points, Bria Holmes added 16, and Elizabeth Williams had 13 for Atlanta.

Meesseman and Hill had 20 points each for Washington.