WASHINGTON (AP) — Behind a 25-point, 13-rebound performance from Shakira Austin, the Washington Mystics defeated the Connecticut Sun 79-69 on Tuesday evening, securing their 27th victory of the year to establish a new franchise record.
The previous club record of 26 victories was established by Washington (27-16) back in 2019, the same year they captured their sole WNBA title.
With only two days left in the regular season, the Mystics expanded their advantage to a full game over both Dallas and New York, who are currently deadlocked for the seventh spot.
Connecticut (10-33) was paced by Diamond Miller’s 19 points, while Leila Lacan and Raegan Beers contributed 11 points each in the effort.
A crucial 15-4 surge by Washington extended their advantage to double digits with 3:26 remaining in the third period, followed roughly a minute and a half later by a Cotie McMahon three-pointer that pushed the score to 66-53.
McMahon finished the game with 13 points, and Sonia Citron added 12 points for the Mystics.
Austin set a personal best by sinking 11 free throws, increased her franchise record for a single season to 397 rebounds, and notched her 20th double-double of the campaign. Alongside Kiki Iraiafen (who has 22 double-doubles), Austin and her teammate became the first duo in WNBA history to each record 20 or more double-doubles in a single year.
Although the Sun held a 43-34 advantage on the glass, the Mystics have now won the rebounding battle against their opponents in a WNBA-record 39 games this season.
