Shakira Austin's 25 points, late three-point play lift Mystics past Aces 100-99

WASHINGTON — Shakira Austin scored 25 points, converting a three-point play after an offensive rebound with 12.8 seconds left, to lead the Washington Mystics to a 100-99 victory over the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on Wednesday night.

Austin rebounded Sonia Citron's missed driving layup and powered through contact for the and-one that proved the difference. She scored 11 points in the fourth-quarter rally alone as the Mystics erased a nine-point deficit with four minutes remaining.

Citron finished with 20 points, scoring four in the final minute including two free throws with 43 seconds left to pull Washington within one at 96-95. Lauren Betts added 13 points off the bench for the Mystics (13-13), who entered the night as the league's lowest-scoring team at 79.6 points per game. Kiki Iriafen posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Michaela Onyenwere and Georgia Amoore each had 10 points.

A'ja Wilson powered the Aces (18-8) with a game-high 38 points on 12-of-16 shooting, making 12 of 13 free throws — but the one miss came with 17 seconds left, leaving the door open for Austin's heroics. Jackie Young added 24 points and Chelsea Gray chipped in 19.

Las Vegas shot 55 percent from the field compared to Washington's 49 percent but was outrebounded 34-24, including 12-4 on the offensive glass. The Aces head into the All-Star break two games behind league-leading Minnesota.

The Mystics led 46-45 at halftime.

"This team never quits," Austin said afterward. "We're the lowest-scoring team in the league, but tonight we showed what we're capable of when we play together."

Sources

• https://apnews.com/article/aces-mystics-score-e52417467cacdda120d4c2d0824b241a