Kiki Iriafen recorded 21 points and 13 rebounds, with Shakira Austin contributing 11 points and 10 rebounds as the Washington Mystics secured a 93-82 victory over the undermanned Toronto Tempo on Wednesday night, extending their winning streak at home to eight games.
The defeat officially ended the Tempo’s playoff hopes in their debut season, with a record of 10-25. Austin achieved her 16th double-double of the season, while Iriafen marked her 15th, as Washington dominated the boards, outrebounding Toronto 43-27, with Iriafen shooting 8 of 12 from the field.
Michaela Onyenwere posted 14 points and connected on four 3-pointers for Washington (21-14), while Sonia Citron contributed 13 points and six assists. The Mystics scored 38 points in the paint, narrowly missing their 12th consecutive game with over 40 points inside.
In the absence of the Tempo’s top scorers — Marina Mabrey, Brittney Sykes, and Nyara Sabally — who rested during the second game of a back-to-back, Kiki Rice led Toronto with 19 points, supported by Aneesah Morrow with 13 points and eight rebounds, as the expansion team suffered their 12th consecutive defeat.
Washington kicked off the second quarter with a 12-0 run, establishing a 37-24 lead as Toronto struggled to convert their initial attempts. The Mystics continued their dominance in the second quarter, outscoring Toronto 22-9 to head into halftime with a 47-33 advantage.
Onyenwere’s consecutive three-pointers in the third quarter extended Washington’s lead to 60-42 midway through the period.
Next up, the Tempo will host Portland on Friday, while the Mystics will remain at home to face Minnesota on the same day.