Mystics Pull Away From Tempo, 93-82, in Washington

The Washington Mystics defeated the Toronto Tempo 93-82 on Wednesday night at CareFirst Arena, using a strong first half to build a lead that Toronto was unable to overcome despite a competitive second half.

The game was played before a sellout crowd of 4,200 in Washington, D.C.

Toronto opened the game with an early offensive push, scoring 24 points in the first quarter while shooting 9-for-16 from the field and 4-for-6 from three-point range. The Tempo held a two-point lead at one point, but Washington finished the quarter ahead 25-24 after five lead changes.

The second quarter proved to be the turning point.

Toronto managed just nine points in the period, going 3-for-15 from the field and 1-for-8 from three-point range. Washington scored 22 points and took a 47-33 advantage into halftime. The Mystics also held a 14-point lead during the quarter.

Kiki Iriafen led Washington’s first-half effort with 11 points, while Shakira Austin also scored 11. Georgia Amoore added nine points, including three three-pointers.

Toronto responded after halftime.

The Tempo scored 23 points in the third quarter and shot 45% from the field while making four three-pointers. Kiki Rice scored 10 points in the period, including two three-pointers, as Toronto cut into Washington’s lead. Laura Juskaite added four points, while Kia Nurse scored four.

Washington answered with 22 points in the third and entered the fourth quarter leading 69-56. Toronto then continued to battle in the final period, scoring 26 points to Washington’s 24. The Tempo shot 50% from the field in the fourth quarter and made 10 of 15 free throws.

The Mystics ultimately closed out the game, with Washington finishing with a 93-82 victory.

Iriafen led all scorers with 21 points for Washington and added 13 rebounds. Michaela Onyenwere scored 14 points, while Sonia Citron finished with 13 and Shakira Austin had 11. Georgia Amoore contributed nine points.

For Toronto, Rice led the Tempo with 19 points, shooting 5-for-9 from the field and 3-for-4 from three-point range while going 6-for-6 at the free-throw line. Aneesah Morrow added 13 points and eight rebounds, while Juskaite finished with 12 points. Nurse scored nine, Fagbenle had 10, and Teonni Key added eight.

The Tempo finished the game shooting 43.1% from the field and 40.7% from three-point range. Washington shot 45.5% overall and 33.3% from three-point range.

Washington also held advantages in several key statistical areas, including points in the paint, second-chance points and total rebounds. The Mystics scored 38 points in the paint to Toronto’s 30 and had a 23-7 edge in second-chance points. Washington finished with 43 rebounds compared with Toronto’s 27.

Toronto’s second-half response kept the game competitive after Washington established its largest lead of 18 points. The Tempo scored 49 points over the final two quarters, but the first-half deficit ultimately proved too large to erase.

The loss leaves Toronto at 10-25, while Washington moves to 21-14.