SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kiki Iriafen delivered 23 points and 12 rebounds as the Washington Mystics rallied past the Golden State Valkyries 90-82 on Monday night, snapping the Valkyries' nine-game winning streak in front of a packed Chase Center.
The Mystics trailed 80-73 with 3:32 remaining before closing the contest on a 17-2 run. Iriafen knocked down a short jumper with 1:41 left to put Washington ahead 82-80 — a lead they would not relinquish.
Shakira Austin posted 15 points and 15 rebounds for the double-double, while Sonia Citron added 15 points and six assists. Kayla Thornton also contributed 15 points off the bench. Veronica Burton orchestrated the offense with 12 points and seven assists for Washington, which shot 51.9 percent from the floor in the first half to take a 36-35 lead into the break.
Kaitlyn Chen led Golden State with 20 points and six assists, including a 3-pointer midway through the fourth quarter before setting up Kiah Stokes for another triple on the next possession. But the Valkyries squandered several opportunities down the stretch, losing for only the third time in their last 16 games.
The physical contest featured a controversial moment late in the third quarter when Washington rookie Cotie McMahon committed a hard foul on Janelle Salaun with 1:16 remaining. After a replay review, McMahon received a technical foul for landing on Salaun's hair with her foot.
The game was the second of a two-game series between the teams over three days. Golden State had won the first meeting 74-69 on Saturday night.
The Chase Center atmosphere was electric as thousands of fans lined up starting four and a half hours before tipoff for a Hello Kitty plush giveaway — the first 10,000 through the doors received the promotional item. Hello Kitty key chains also sold out in team stores.
Iriafen connected on 8 of 12 shots from the field, going 5 for 7 in the first half on her way to 13 points before halftime.
Up next, the Mystics host Las Vegas on Wednesday ahead of the All-Star break. The Valkyries resume action after the break when they visit Phoenix on July 29.
[AP News — Washington Mystics vs Golden State Valkyries](https://apnews.com/article/mystics-valkyries-score-d287f826e3168080f300eb990c930289)
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