Shakira Austin, Mystics gain road split against Storm

Shakira Austin had game-high totals of 18 points, 13 rebounds and five assists as the Washington Mystics defeated the host Seattle Storm 78-64 on Wednesday.

Michaela Onyenwere added 14 points, making three 3-pointers, and Kiki Iriafen had 13 points and nine boards for the Mystics (3-3), who snapped a two-game losing streak and avenged a 97-85 loss at Seattle on Sunday.

Jade Melbourne scored 15 points to lead the Storm (3-5), who had won their previous two games. Mackenzie Holmes added eight points and 10 rebounds.

The Mystics shot 42.4% from the field (28 of 66), including 7 of 21 (33.3%) from 3-point range. The Storm made just 34.9% of their field-goal attempts (22 of 63) and were 5 of 23 (21.7%) from long distance.

The Mystics, who trailed by as many as 26 points on Sunday, led by as many as 24 in this one, 74-49 with 7:33 remaining.

Washington scored the opening five points and never trailed.

Onyenwere made two 3-pointers and a jumper in the opening 1:53 as the Mystics took a 10-1 lead. They extended the margin to 23-9 before the Storm went on a 9-0 run.

The Mystics held a 28-20 lead after the first quarter as Onyenwere and Austin combined for 21 points.

The Storm pulled with six points early in the second before the Mystics answered with a 16-3 run on their way to a 48-29 halftime advantage.

Seattle scored the first eight points of the second half, but the Mystics were up 66-45 after three quarters.

Rookie centers Awa Fam of Seattle and Lauren Betts of Washington, the Nos. 3 and 4 picks in this spring’s WNBA draft, respectively, pretty much played to a draw. Both came off the bench. Fam had six points and five rebounds in 17:15 of playing time, and Betts had six points and three rebounds in 11:16.

The Storm played without center Dominique Malonga (concussion) and forward Ezi Magbegor (foot).

–Field Level Media