Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
Each game we see the Mystics come hard against some of the best teams in the WNBA and tonight for the second straight game, they battled against the Minnesota Lynx all the way to the end and fell just short at home, 78-76 after knocking them off just a few nights ago in Minnesota.
Sonia Citron scored 28 points to lead the Mystics and even made 4-of-5 of her three-pointers and after the effort tonight, she continues to make her case for another All-Star Game and talk about one of the top players in the WNBA currently.
Fresh off being named WNBA Player of Week, Citron just continues to get it done and seems to have found herself in the right spot to get the shots that matter late in games.
Shakira Austin and Kiki Iriafen added double doubles with points and rebounds. For the Lynx, Natasha Howard and Olivia Miles co-led with 21 points.
This game was another tight one down to the wire for the Mystics and after the Mystics took timeout, the Lynx forced a shot-clock violation before Miles fed Howard for a wide-open layup that made it 72-71, which believe it or not, was Minnesota’s first lead since 17-16. Miles then hit a 3 with 1:07 remaining that made it 78-74.
Washington had on more shot at winning the game with 11 seconds remaining when Austin missed a three pointer and the Lynx grabbed the rebound that was as close the Mystics would come tonight.
Austin had one final shot with 4 seconds remaining of possibly getting the ball back on a jump ball and a series that followed with a turnover by Austin when she let the ball slip away with 2.5 seconds remaining.
The Mystics continue to struggle at home finishing the night 2-4 and will head on the road to face a struggling Connecticut Sun team on Friday night. The loss tonight sends the Mystics back to 8-8 on the season.
Tonight, just one day before his introductory press conference, Wizards #1 pick AJ Dybantsa was in attendance with Keyshawn George.
