Mystics win on the road, behind Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen
The Washington Mystics (22-15) took a trip to the Phoenix Mercury (13-24) to close the action for the night. The Mystics started strong, taking a 7-2 lead in exactly two minutes. The Mercury quickly responded with an 11-0 run to take a six-point lead. You would have never guessed; the Mystics responded with a 15-0 run of their own, and they led 24-15 at the end of the first quarter.
Over the first four minutes of the second quarter, the Mystics outscored the Mercury 12-7, extending their lead to 14. Another quarter of runs, the Mercury went on a run to shrink the Mystics' lead to six, then we saw the Mystics close the quarter on an 8-0 run to take a 51-33 lead into halftime.
Not much to report here in the third quarter; the Mystics' lead for the most part stayed around 15-19 for the majority of the quarter. This quarter was the first quarter we've seen the Mercury outscore the Mystics (27-26). The Mystics led 77-60 at the end of the third quarter.
The fourth quarter brought us the first true quarter that the Mercury were the better team. While it was clear the Mystics had this win in the bag, the Mercury managed to pull within ten by the end of the game; the Mystics won 94-84.
Sonia Citron had 19 points and nine assists, and Kiki Iriafen added 18 points and 10 rebounds for her 17th double-double of the season. Shakira Austin scored 16 points for Washington.
Natasha Mack and Kahleah Copper each scored 19 points for the Mercury. Alyssa Thomas had 16 points and 10 assists, and Kelsey Plum, playing in her first game since Aug. 9, added 10 points.
These teams will do it again on Thursday night in Phoenix.
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