Sonia Citron poured in 24 points and fellow rookie Kiki Iriafen posted 18 points and 10 rebounds as the host Washington Mystics defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 95-86 on Sunday afternoon.

Washington’s Shakira Austin, who had been out of game action for more than a week because of left-leg soreness, finished with 14 points in 18 minutes, and Jade Melbourne notched 11 points.

The Mystics (16-18), who shot 59.3 percent from the floor, have won three of their last four games.

Citron went 5-for-6 on 3-pointers, racking up nearly half of the team’s 11 makes from 3-point range.

Dearica Hamby scored 12 points in less than five minutes in the third quarter on her way to 26 points and seven assists for the Sparks (16-18). Kelsey Plum connected on 10 of 15 shots as part of a 25-point effort, Rickea Jackson had 17 points, and reserve Rae Burrell added 10 points.

The Mystics displayed solid ball movement, picking up assists on 30 of their 35 baskets, including a team-high seven helpers by Sug Sutton.

Washington held a 67-54 lead after Lucy Olsen’s jumper midway through the third quarter. Citron drained two 3-pointers in the final minute of the period as the Mystics held a 77-65 edge going to the fourth.

After the Sparks closed to within 87-81, Citron recorded the next five points with a triple and a jumper to thwart that threat.

The Mystics overpowered the Sparks on the boards, finishing with a 35-15 rebounding advantage.

Washington built a 53-41 lead by halftime, sparked by a 10-3 run in the middle stages of the second quarter.

The Mystics shot 60 percent (18-for-30) in the first half. That included 7-for-13 on 3-point attempts, with six different players hitting from long range.

Washington snapped a two-game home losing skid while avenging a pair of losses in a home-and-home set with Los Angeles last month.

–Field Level Media