WASHINGTON, March 8 (UPI) -- Jason Richardson scored 34 points and sank 5 of 9 three-pointers Saturday to help the Charlotte Bobcats beat Washington 101-97 for their fifth straight win.

Charlotte spurted to a 35-21 advantage after the first period and forced Washington to play catch-up the rest of the way. The Bobcats' only deficit was 4-3 early in the first quarter, but a late Washington rally in the fourth made things interesting.

Matt Carroll had 23 points and four rebounds. Raymond Felton totaled 14 points, 12 assists and six rebounds and Earl Boykins scored 10 for the Bobcats, who had never won five in a row in their four-year NBA history.

Washington was led by Antawn Jamison's 35th double-double this season (30 points and 10 rebounds). Roger Mason scored 15, Antonio Daniels had 14, and DeShawn Stevenson added 11 points, three rebounds and six assists for the Wizards, who had won three of four, including a 110-106 overtime victory at Toronto Friday.