Double-double contributed from former USC F Kiki Iriafen in Mystics win over Sky

Being charitable, this was a game between the former USC forward Kiki Iriafen's new team, the Washington Mystics, and the Chicago Sky that saw the referees probably allow too much to go on. The most glaring example of this occurred early on, from a moment that saw Iriafen stay down for a while. Fortunately for her, she was soon able to check back into the game after the brief moment that was an injury scare.

Trailing late, Washington needed two things. They had to force stops on defense, and they had to come up with some clutch buckets down the stretch. En route to the eventual 81-79 victory of Chicago, Iriafen showed why she was named an All-Star during her first year in the WNBA.

What is already separating the former Trojan at the WNBA level is her ability to force the action during moments that others would take off or relax. Staying active and giving her team effort and hustle plays is what allowed the Mystics to stay in the game and ultimately get the win over the Sky.

Iriafen finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The most critical of her scoring efforts came on an and-one opportunity that leveled up the score at 72 apiece. It also needs to be noted that her fourth-quarter effort to keep a ball alive off a missed free throw from one of her teammates ended up in a Washington layup that ended up proving to be tremendously consequential in what ended up being a two-point margin.

Bright future for former USC F with current team

While the questionable 8:30 a.m. PT start time would understandably raise an eyebrow, Iriafen displayed all of the characteristics that USC fans had the privilege of enjoying when she played at the Galen Center.

Now at 9-10 on the season, this young Mystics team can look back with pride on how they made the needed plays late to seal the win during their fourth-quarter comeback.