Mystics Win Eighth-Straight Contest At Home Against Shorthanded Tempo (8-9-26)!
By: Jaden Golding
Headline Photo Credit: Riley Smith-LMS Network
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Mystics defeated the Toronto Tempo, 93-82, on Wednesday evening at CareFirst Arena. Toronto was without Mariana Mabrey (hamstring), Brittney Sykes (rest), Nyra Sabally (calf), and Maria Conde (calf) in last night’s contest.
Washington’s frontcourt dominated Toronto’s interior defense, with Shakira Austin and Kiki Iriafen combining for 32 points. Austin secured her 16th double-double performance of the season (11 points – 10 rebounds), and Iriafen notched her 15th respectfully (21 points – 13 rebounds).
In the first quarter, Toronto and Washington went back and forth with high-paced energy, with Washington leading only 25-24 entering the second quarter.
D.C. pulled away in the second quarter, opening up on a 12-0 run to push the lead to double digits and never looking back the rest of the way. It highlighted a dominant quarter on both ends, with Washington outscoring Toronto, 22-9.
Toronto was led by DMV native and 2026 first-round rookie Kiki Rice, who scored 19 points, matching a season-high. Annesah Morrow added 13 points and eight rebounds.
The Tempo tried to cut into the lead at the beginning of the third, but a key stretch saw Washington score eight straight points, highlighted by back-to-back three-pointers by Michaela Onyenwere. This gave Washington its biggest lead of the day, up by 18 points.
Onyenwere finished with 14 points, hitting four three-pointers. Sonia Citron scored 13 points, with five rebounds and six assists.
Washington dominated the boards, outrebounding Toronto 43-27 (14 offensive rebounds led to 23 second-chance points).
Up Next:
Washington welcomes the WNBA’s best team, the Minnesota Lynx, for a showdown at CareFirst Arena at 7:30 p.m.
