Kiki Iriafen recorded 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Shakira Austin contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds in the Washington Mystics’ 93-82 victory over the undermanned Toronto Tempo on Wednesday night, marking their eighth consecutive win at home.
The defeat officially dashed the Tempo’s playoff hopes in their debut season with a 10-25 record. Austin achieved her 16th double-double of the season, and Iriafen secured her 15th as Washington dominated the boards, outrebounding Toronto 43-27, with Iriafen shooting 8 of 12 from the field.
Michaela Onyenwere scored 14 points, sinking four 3-pointers for Washington (21-14). Sonia Citron added 13 points and six assists. The Mystics tallied 38 points in the paint, narrowly missing their 12th consecutive game with over 40 points in the paint.
In the absence of the Tempo’s top scorers — Marina Mabrey, Brittney Sykes, and Nyara Sabally, who sat out due to the second game of a back-to-back, Kiki Rice led Toronto with 19 points. Aneesah Morrow contributed 13 points and eight rebounds as the expansion Tempo suffered their 12th consecutive loss.
Washington started the second quarter with a 12-0 run, establishing a 37-24 lead as the Tempo missed their initial five shots. The Mystics outscored Toronto 22-9 in the second quarter, heading into halftime with a 47-33 advantage.
Onyenwere extended Washington’s lead to 60-42 midway through the third quarter by scoring back-to-back three-pointers.
Up next:
Tempo: Hosting Portland on Friday.
Mystics: Hosting Minnesota on Friday.