Austin’s Pair Of Late Free-Throws Lift Mystics Over Sky In 81-79 Victory (7-8-25)
By: Jaden Golding
Headline Photo Credit: WNBA
FAIRFAX, VA — Shakira Austin drew a foul on a driving layup attempt in the paint with 2.8 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Austin made both free throws to put Washington ahead 81-79. The Sky inbounded the ball to Rachel Banham, who heaved a 41-foot half-court shot attempt that missed the mark.
Austin finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks. The Mystics (9-10) ended their two-game skid, while the Sky (5-13) dropped its second-straight game.
After trailing enter the fourth quarter, Chicago captured a late 70-66, before rookie sensation Kiki Irafen converted a three-point play to tie things up 72-72 with 3:08 to go.
Angel Reese followed up the play with a layup before Sonia Citron hit a 3-pointer and Briitney Sykes made a pull-up jumper to give the Mystics a three-point lead with less than a minute remaining.
On the next possession, Banham hit a clutch pull-up three-pointer to tie the game. After a loose-ball foul on Washington’s possession, Austin was fouled on the offensive rebound. Austin missed both free throws but grabbed the offensive rebound on the second attempt, before receiving an inside pass from Sykes for the go-ahead basket with 21.1 seconds.
Reese would tie things up at 79-79, after hitting her 12th and 13th free throws of the game before the game finishing plays.
Reese had a dominant outing with 22 points & 15 rebounds, notching not only her sixth straight double-double performance but her WNBA record of finishing with 15-plus rebounds. Teammate Elizabeth Williams scored 20 points on 9-of-17 shooting.
Citron scored 13 points, Irafen posted an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double performance, and Sykes added 11 points.
Washington outscored Chicago in points in the paint (46-30) and fast break points (20-8).
Up Next:
Mystics host the Las Vegas Aces at EagleBank Arena on Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m.
