Washington 74, Charlotte 70

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 23 (UPI) -- Chamique Holdsclaw scored 22 points and grabbed a WNBA-record 24 rebounds Friday night as the Washington Mystics held on for a 74-70 victory over the Charlotte Sting in the season opener for both teams.

Washington, which won a franchise-record 17 games last season, upset Charlotte with a two-game sweep in the first round of the playoffs. Holdsclaw made sure that the Sting did not gain revenge by making 11 of 26 shots and helping the Mystics to a 41-39 edge on the glass.

The Mystics took the lead for good when Coco Miller's basket with just over 12 minutes left before halftime triggered a 9-0 run for a 24-15 advantage. Stacey Dales-Schuman scored 16 of her 20 points in the first half for Washington.

A basket by Murriel Page gave Washington a 72-62 lead with 2:35 remaining when Charlotte responded with eight straight points, climbing within two on a foul shot by Shalonda Enis with 29 seconds to go. Miller responded with a layup and the Sting failed to answer.

Allison Feaster scored 16 points and Kelly Miller, Coco's twin sister, added 14 for Charlotte, which dropped coach Trudi Lacey's debut. Dawn Staley handed out nine assists.