After losing 74-69 in the first of a two-game set against the Golden State Valkyries, the Washington Mystics returned to Chase Center in search of a bounce-back win.
Down 80-73 late, Washington closed on a 17-2 run to steal a 90-82 road victory and improve to 13-12 on the season.
The Mystics emerged with a 21-20 advantage after a competitive opening quarter. Kiki Iriafen led all scorers with nine points while shooting 4-for-5 from the field. She added three rebounds and three assists to cap one of
her best frames of the season.
Kaitlin Chen scored two quick buckets to push Golden State back ahead. But Washington’s younsters took over from there.
Sonia Citron started things with a layup, assisted by Georgia Amoore. The two connected twice more on the ensuing possessions, both makes via Amoore from 3-point range.
Iriafen added an 18-foot jumper off an Amoore assist, and Lauren Betts drained a 20-foot jumper minutes later to give the Mystics a 36-35 halftime lead.
Michaela Onyenwere drilled two threes and Amoore added one as Washington opened the second half on a 9-0 run. But Golden State quickly responded with its own 9-0 burst to retake the lead and end the quarter ahead 58-54.
Iriafen grabbed her 10th rebound a few minutes into the final quarter to secure a double-double as Washington tied the game at 65.
Washington trailed 80-77 with two minutes remaining when Citron drove to the hoop and scored a bucket plus the foul to knot the contest at 80. After a Chen turnover, Citron found Iriafen for a short jumper to push the Mystics ahead 82-80.
Another stop and a a Shakira Austin jumper later, Washington had doubled its advantage entering the final minute of regulation. Iriafen iced the contest at the free-throw line, her 22nd and 23rd points of the night, to propel the Mystics to an impressive road win.
