Fairfax, Va. — Shakira Austin delivered in the clutch, sinking two free throws with 2.8 seconds remaining to lift the Washington Mystics to an 81–79 victory over the Chicago Sky on Tuesday night at George Mason University.
Austin, who finished with 15 points, redeemed herself after missing a pair of free throws with 31.8 seconds left. The Mystics grabbed the offensive rebound, and Austin responded with a tough driving layup to give Washington a 79–77 edge.
Chicago’s Angel Reese tied the game with two free throws of her own at the 14.9-second mark, but Austin came through again, drawing a foul on the ensuing possession and calmly hitting both free throws to seal the win. The Sky’s Rachel Banham had a final chance, but her half-court heave at the buzzer missed.
Rookie guard Sonia Citron added 13 points for the Mystics (9–10), including eight in the final quarter. Kiki Iriafen posted 11 points and 10 rebounds, notching her sixth double-double of the season — tying the franchise rookie record held by Chamique Holdsclaw. Brittney Sykes also scored 11.
Reese led the Sky (5–13) with 22 points and 15 rebounds, becoming the first player in WNBA history to record six consecutive games with at least 15 boards. She secured her sixth straight double-double before halftime with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Elizabeth Williams chipped in 20 points, while Banham scored 13. Ariel Atkins, facing her former team, added 11 points for Chicago.
