Mystics vs. Liberty final score: Washington loses, 86-78

The Washington Mystics returned home to face the reigning WNBA champion New York Liberty on Thursday night as they looked to snap a two-game losing streak. The Mystics led after the opening quarter, but a second-quarter meltdown proved too costly to overcome as they fell at home, 86-78.

Washington’s rookies starred in the opening frame, combining for 18 of the team’s 22 points as the Mystics took a 22-17 advantage into the second quarter. WNBA Rookie of the Month, Kiki Iriafen, dropped a causal 11 points in the first quarter, and her counterpart, Sonia Citron, added seven points and two rebounds.

The Mystics’ lead was short-lived, however, as New York won the second quarter 32-12 to take a…