The Washington Mystics (8-9) fell 68-57 to the Connecticut Sun (4-15) at Mohegan Sun Arena on Friday night, plagued by 22 turnovers and a 56% performance from the free-throw line.
Washington opened the game on a 5-0 run behind center Shakira Austin, but Connecticut quickly settled in, using a nine-point swing to take a 30-26 lead into halftime. The Sun continued to build on that advantage throughout the second half.
Leila Lacan and Olivia Nelson-Ododa
led Connecticut with 12 points apiece, and Charlisse Leger-Walker (10) helped the Sun stretch their lead to 12 midway through the third quarter. The Sun finished the game with five total players in couple figure scoring, with Kennedy Burke (11) Brittney Griner (10) contributing to Connecticut’s 11-point victory.
The Mystics mounted a late third quarter rally, and briefly took a 53-52 lead with 7:21 remaining in the fourth quarter behind the play of Sonia Citron, Georgia Amoore and Kiki Iriafen.
Citron finished with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists despite shooting 2-for-9 from the field. Amoore scored 12 points – all from beyond the arc – connecting on 4 of her 8 three-point attempts while also dishing out a team-high five assists. Iriafen recorded her latest double-double with 11 points and a team-high 14 rebounds.
The comeback, however, was short-lived. Griner put Connecticut back in front, 54-53, just moments later, and the Sun closed the game on a decisive run to secure the 68-57 victory and snap a six-game losing streak.
The win marked Connecticut’s first victory over Washington this season after the Mystics claimed the first meeting, 88-81, on June 17.
Washington returns home to CareFirst Arena on Sunday, June 28, to host the Portland Fire, looking to earn its fourth win in its last six games.
