June 19, 2009

WASHINGTON - Despite an injury to one of the top rookies in the WNBA, the University of Maryland will be well represented in Saturday's contest at Verizon Center as Kristi Toliver's Chicago Sky will take on Crystal Langhorne's Washington Mystics at 7 p.m.

Toliver, the third overall selection in the 2009 WNBA Draft, and Langhorne, the sixth overall pick in 2008, will square off for the first time as professionals. Marissa Coleman, the second pick in this year's draft by Washington, is out four-to-six weeks with a high ankle sprain after a torrid start to her pro career.

The former Terps were teammates at Maryland for three seasons from 2005-08 and claimed the 2006 National Championship together.

Coleman and Toliver have yet to log a start in the early goings of this season, but both have been solid contributors off the bench. Prior to her injury, Coleman was the Mystics' second-leading scorer (12.7 ppg) and was shooting 54.2 percent from the floor and 66.7 percent from 3-point range. Toliver is netting 3.5 ppg with 2.3 assists per outing.

Langhorne, in her second season, is scoring 10.3 ppg (3rd on team) with a team-best 7.7 rebounds per game.

Washington is the lone undefeated team remaining in the WNBA at 3-0 and sits atop the Eastern Conference standings. Chicago is off to a 3-1 start and is a half-game behind the Mystics in second place. Washington will play a game in Atlanta on Friday night before Saturday's contest, while Chicago will battle the Sun in Connecticut.

The Sky will make one more regular-season visit to Washington on July 23.