Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
The Mystics faced one of the hottest team in the WNBA today and the final box score was indicative of just that.
The Aces have had lot of the right cards the past few weeks behind A’ja Wilson and today was no different was she had her way late in the game with 36 points and 13 rebounds for her 19th double-double of the season.
Wilson had 11 points in the second quarter when the Aces outscored the Mystics by a dozen to take a 44-39 lead at the half. The Mystics made two field goals, but the big difference staying in the game was their free throws to 16 of 19 while Las Vegas was 5 for 5.
This game was really the tale of two halves. The Mystics in the first quarter looked as they did on many occasions prior to the all-star break and the trade that sent Brittany Sykes to the Seattle Storm and had a commanding 26-19 lead, Fast forward to the fourth quarter and the Mystics fell behind by as many as 18 points and never really recovered.
Kiki Iriafen had 21 points and a career-high 15 rebounds for her 14th double-double, one off the franchise record for the Mystics (16-21). Shakira Austin added 18 points and Sonia Citron 13.
The Aces were 10 of 20 from 3-point range — Evans was 5 of 6 — and shot 52% overall (35 of 65) with 27 assists, eight each by Young and Chelsea Gray.
The Mystics don’t have much time to fix today’s issues as they play the second of a back-to-back games against Seattle tomorrow at 3pm.
