WASHINGTON — Brittney Sykes showcased an impressive performance, scoring 28 points with remarkable accuracy by hitting 14 of her 15 free throw attempts, as the Washington Mystics decisively defeated the Connecticut Sun with a score of 104-67 on Sunday.
The Mystics, with a record of 4-6, never found themselves behind in the game. Newcomers Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron contributed significantly with 12 and 11 points each, while Sug Sutton added 10 points to the team’s efforts. Meanwhile, Shakira Austin delivered 14 points and Aaliyah Edwards contributed 13 off the bench, underscoring the depth and versatility of Washington’s lineup.
Washington achieved an impressive 57% field goal percentage, putting in 36 of their 63 attempts, and dishing out an impressive 24 assists throughout the game. They capitalized on their opportunities at the free-throw line, making 26 out of a possible 37, marking this as their first 100-point achievement since 2023. In comparison, Connecticut managed a 39% shooting rate, making 26 out of their 66 shots, and converted 8 out of 9 free throws.
The Mystics controlled the rebound game with a 42-22 advantage, which was reflected in their dominance in the paint, outscoring the Sun 56-24. Standout players for the Sun included Tina Charles, who scored 17 points, with both Marina Mabrey and reserve Jacy Sheldon contributing 15 points apiece.
A significant personal milestone occurred for Connecticut’s Haley Peters, who, at 32 years old, made her first career start. Previous to this, the most recent similar occurrence was in 2010 when Mario Jones, then 34, made her first start. Undrafted out of Duke in 2014, Peters had past stints with teams like San Antonio, Washington, and Atlanta.
The game began with a tight 4-4 tie before Washington pulled away with ten consecutive points, distributed among five different players. Sykes led the charge with nine points, expanding Washington’s advantage to 50-36 by halftime. The Mystics kicked off the second half with an 11-2 spree, pushing the score to 62-40, and wrapped up the game strongly with a 16-2 run.
Looking ahead, both the Washington Mystics and the Connecticut Sun have a week without games. The next match-up for Washington is when they host the Atlanta Dream, while the Connecticut Sun will face off against the Chicago Sky at home on Sunday.