Looking to bounce back from their worst performance of the season in a loss at Indiana exactly a week ago, the Mystics (6-4) play host to the New York Liberty (6-4) Thursday morning, in what promises to be an enthusiastic crowd at Verizon Center for Camp Day. The Liberty, who have not played a game in the last nine days, arrive in D.C. winners of three out of their last four contests. The Mystics, on the other hand, are losers of two out of their last three games but hope the week off gave them ample time to settle down and refocus. The two teams are tied for second place in the tightly contested Eastern Conference, yet the ‘Stics have won both of the teams’ head-to-head matchups so far this season and look to take the season series with one more victory.

Coming into this contest, these two teams look very similar on paper in many regards. Besides their identical 6-4 records, both have struggled to score the ball consistently, as the Mystics hold a slim 73.3 ppg (5^th lowest in the league) advantage compared to the Liberty’s 72.3 ppg (3^rd lowest). Additionally, both teams share the ball very well despite their underwhelming scoring numbers, as the Mystics are atop the league in assists per game (19.9 apg), while the Liberty are right behind them with the second most assists per game at 17.7 apg. The major difference between these two teams seems to lie in the rebounding department, where the Liberty are tied for the league-lead with 37.2 rpg as opposed to the Mystic’s much lesser 32.9 rpg (6^th best).

Coach Thibault knows rebounding is a huge component to winning in the WNBA, and thus his team has been trying to improve in that area during every practice and game. In fact, the ‘Stics have outrebounded their opponents in back-to-back games, a very encouraging sign going forward.

“Yeah that’s two in a row, that’s good. We’re playing against a team that’s a good rebounding team. If we can do it the third time in a row, then I’ll start getting some faith that we’re doing a better job. Obviously it’s been a focus in practice, so we’ll see if it stays,” Thibault noted.

In order to dominate the glass and contain the Liberty, the Mystics will be challenged with the tall task of limiting star center Tina Charles’ production. The 3x WNBA All-Star and 2012 MVP has put up impressive number so far this season, averaging 15.1 ppg to go along with 9.0 rpg. Furthermore, the Liberty return All-Star guard Epiphanny Prince, their prize acquisition of the offseason who recently finished up her season overseas, for her first game with her new team.

However, Mystics guard Ivory Latta (13.0 ppg, 2.5 apg), who has scored 30 combined points in the two matchups against the Liberty so far this season, is confident that she and her teammates will be up to the task as long as they listen to their coach.

“They have great players, but we just have to stick to the game plan. Whatever coach tells us to do, that’s what we’ve got to stick to. Stick to the game plan. He’s a great coach, and as long as we do what he tells us do, we’ll be fine.”

The week did not come without a roster move as well for the ‘Stics though, as forward LaToya Sanders, whom Washington retained the rights of dating back to a 2012 trade, returned to the squad after playing for the last five seasons abroad in Turkey. She last appeared in a WNBA game back in 2011. In order to make the move, Washington was forced to waive rookie forward Kayla Thornton.

Coach Thibault expects Sanders to come in and contribute right away, adding a veteran presence and leadership to the young Mystics squad. “I think she’ll play a big role. She’s a terrific defender and rebounder, she can block shots, and she’s a solid offensive player. She takes great pride in her defense, and in the Eastern Conference with the forwards we play against, she’ll be a huge plus for us defensively guarding those people.”

Latta is equally as happy to once again play alongside her former college teammate at UNC. Latta commented on playing again with the former Tarheel, “Oh man, it’s great!… We played together for three years and so I know her tendencies and she definitely knows mine, she’s a great player. I’m blessed to have her as a teammate and she’s definitely going to be a great addition to the team.”

Overall, heading into this game, the Mystics’ main objectives remain to put last game behind them and to take the season series from the Liberty by winning this one, which may prove to be very important come playoff time.

Coach Thibault summed it up, saying, “Bouncing back is the most important part. To get rid of the bad taste in our mouth from how we played the Indiana game, the worst game we’ve played all year…We’ve had a couple of days to get a good bounce back to us, but it’s important for our confidence’s sake as much as anything… The thing with New York is if we win the game we win the season series, which down the road in tiebreakers makes a big difference. So that part of it will be important for sure.”

Latta added, “We have to just stay consistent and play hard the whole time.” With that, victory is sure to follow.