Washington started well but a second-quarter meltdown was too much to overcome
The Washington Mystics returned home to face the reigning WNBA champion New York Liberty on Thursday night as they looked to snap a two-game losing streak. The Mystics led after the opening quarter, but a second-quarter meltdown proved too costly to overcome as they fell at home, 86-78.
Washington’s rookies starred in the opening frame, combining for 18 of the team’s 22 points as the Mystics took a 22-17 advantage into the second quarter. WNBA Rookie of the Month, Kiki Iriafen, dropped a causal 11 points in the first quarter, and her counterpart, Sonia Citron, added seven points and two rebounds.
The Mystics’ lead was short-lived, however, as New York won the second quarter 32-12 to take a 15-point advantage into halftime. Breanna Stewart led the Liberty with 14 points and five rebounds.
Washington clawed back in the third quarter, trimming its deficit to just nine halfway through the frame. New York kept its foot on the gas, though, taking a 16-point lead into the final quarter.
The Mystics fought back in the fourth, but it wasn’t enough. New York continued its dominance throughout the final frame to continue its winning ways and improve to 8-0 on the season. After suffering its third consecutive defeat, Washington dropped to 3-6.
Stewart scored a game-high 26 points, while Iriafen paced Washington with 17 points on 6-for-13 shooting.