Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images

Wrapping up a four-game road stretch, the Washington Mystics finished on a high note, defeating the Dallas Wings 91-78 at College Park Center in Arlington, TX.

It was the debut game for second-year guard Jacy Sheldon, acquired via trade with the Connecticut Sun on August 7, and she chipped in eight points in her first outing in red, white, and blue. Washington was without Shakira Austin, a late scratch due to left knee soreness.

Dallas, behind strong shooting from deep, had the upper hand in the first half, but Washington came alive after the break, pouring in 33 points in the third quarter and riding that momentum to a much-needed win to snap a four-game skid. Rookie Sonia Citron, held to just one point before halftime, scored 17 in the second half. Alongside fellow rookie Kiki Iriafen, who posted her ninth double-double and a career-high 23 points, the duo combined for 41 points and, alongside 28 points from the bench, powered the comeback from 14 down.

“Just a little bit more poised coming out into the second half,” Iriafen said postgame. “Our coaches made some great adjustments, just seeing how they were defending Soni. From there, they made some great passes to me, but I think it was just reading how they were playing us in the first half and coming out and executing the game plan our coaches had for us.”

Here is a full recap of Sunday’s road contest from Texas.

First Quarter – Trading Early Buckets

Both teams came out firing, locked at 11 midway through the first. Dallas broke the tie with a quick 6-0 burst, but Washington’s bench gave them a spark, Emily Engstler and Alysha Clark combined for 10 points in the quarter. Luisa Geiselsöder led the Wings early with six points, while Paige Bueckers added five. Dallas’ outside shooting was sharp, hitting 4-of-5 from deep, while Washington worked inside for 10 points in the paint. Even so, the Mystics trailed 23-18 heading to the second.

Second Quarter – Wings Take Flight

Washington tried to chip away, pulling within one after Stefanie Dolson buried a deep three and Kiki Iriafen with a shot near the rim midway through. But Dallas answered every push. The Wings stretched their lead to 14 and closed the half on a 13-3 run. Iriafen led the Mystics with six at the break, while Bueckers paced all scorers with 11. Dallas finished 6-of-10 in the half from long-range as they carried a 41-30 lead into the locker room.

Third Quarter – Mystics Flip the Script

Whatever was said at halftime worked. Washington came out swinging, opening the half with a 7-0 run from Citron, Iriafen, and Dolson, who drilled her second three of the game. The run grew to 12-2, cutting the deficit to 43-42 after five more points by Iriafen. Citron tied it at 45 with a three-point play, and Sheldon’s free throws moments later gave the Mystics their first lead since the opening quarter. From there, it was a back-and-forth duel, Citron hitting midrange shots, Dallas answering through Arike Ogunbowale and Maddy Siegrist from deep, until Washington strung together a 10-5 finish to close the quarter up 63-58.

Fourth Quarter – Slamming the Door

Washington wasted no time building its cushion. Dolson’s free throws and a Jade Melbourne driving layup made it a nine-point game, and Citron’s deep three midway through the period pushed it to double digits. The Mystics never let the Wings back within striking distance. Down the stretch, Citron, Iriafen, Clark, Melbourne, and Engstler all chipped in buckets to keep the momentum rolling. When the final buzzer sounded, Washington had not only snapped its losing streak but done it in convincing fashion, 91-78, with four players in double figures (Iriafen, Citron, Engstler, Dolson) matching Dallas’ quartet of Geiselsöder, Bueckers, Ogunbowale, and Haley Jones.

Stat Leaders

Points:

Mystics – Kiki Iriafen (23)
Wings – Paige Bueckers (17)

Rebounds:

Mystics – Kiki Iriafen (10)
Wings – Myisha Hines-Allen (11)

Assists:

Mystics – Sonia Citron (6)
Wings – Myisha Hines-Allen (5)

Mystics Game Notes

Kiki Iriafen had a career-high 23 points and 10 rebounds, marking her ninth rookie double-double and sixth straight game scoring double digits.

Sonia Citron scored 18 points (17 in the second half) with six assists and five rebounds, posting her first 10+ point, 5+ rebound, 5+ assist game. She’s now third all-time in points among Mystics rookies.

Stefanie Dolson scored 14 points on 4-for-5 shooting, hit two threes, went perfect from the line, and recorded her 300th career block.

Jacy Sheldon debuted with eight points and two rebounds, going 4-for-5 at the free-throw line.

Emily Engstler had a season-high 11 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks, hitting multiple threes for the second time this season.

Sixth comeback win after trailing at halftime, including overcoming an 11-point deficit.

Shot 21-for-26 (.808) from the free-throw line, the 11th time shooting 80%+ this season.

Recorded 21 assists, sixth instance of back-to-back games with 20+ assists.

Won the paint battle 48-20.

Scored a season-high 33 points in the third quarter.

Looking Ahead

The Mystics will return home to CareFirst Arena on Wednesday night to host the Golden State Valkyries with tip-off at 7:30 PM ET.

Gallery Block

Game Recap: Mystics Rally From 14 Down to Knock Off Wings