Liberty’s eight-game winning streak ends in loss to Mystics

This time, the Liberty didn’t have it late in the game. 

No Sabrina Ionescu late-game layup arrived to save them — nor a deep 3-point try from her in the final seconds. 

In a foul-and-whistle-happy game, the Liberty snapped their eight-game win streak — the longest active winning streak in the league — in a messy 86-83 loss after two missed chances in the final 11.8 seconds. 

Following a Mystics timeout, Kiki Iriafen got past the Liberty defense for a layup and went on to shoot the winning foul shots after Stewart’s missed layup and fifth foul. 

On an inbounds play, the Liberty put the ball in their shooter’s hands, but Ionescu’s attempt fell short and a last-second Hail Mary try from Satou Sabally didn’t make the cut either. 

The loss came after the Liberty barely beat the Sky on Wednesday, only winning by a point in yet another sloppy game, but they couldn’t escape Friday. 

In the closing minutes, Ionescu drove to the rim to tie the game 81-81, however she made a crucial foul on the other end on second-year All-Star Sonia Citron.

It sent Citron to the line to make both foul shots for an 83-81 lead. 

For awhile, however, it looked like the Liberty, who can usually find an answer, would pull out another victory. 

With under seven minutes to play, the Liberty retook the lead following two 3-pointers from Marine Johannes and Leonie Fiebich.

Despite a poor shooting foul from Ionescu, Stewart went down the other end to get a layup and soon followed with a key rebound that put Jonquel Jones at the line for two points. 

Shortly after, Stewart stole a ball out of Shakira Austin’s hands and the Liberty converted two points on the other end for an eight point lead — their largest for the game — with under five minutes to play. 

Nevertheless, that advantage was soon spoiled by poor passes and failing to get back in transition.

An Iriafen layup and Michaela Onyenwere steal and basket tied it up at 79-79 with two minutes to go. 

The Liberty also were in foul trouble down the stretch, with Stewart holding four fouls, and Sabally quickly picking up her four early in the final frame.

Jones also had three. 

It was a quiet night for the Liberty starters until the second half.

In that time, Sabally and Han Xu led the team with eight points apiece, as the Liberty flexed more of their depth. 

Stewart and Fiebich powered most of the Liberty’s late-game scoring, ending with 16 points and 19 points, respectively.

Sabally finished with 13 and Jones added 10. 

The game was close from the start.

Both teams only led by as many as three points following the first quarter. 

Citron grew into a problem in the second quarter, scoring eight straight points to give the Mystics a spark and it continued in the third quarter as they went on an early 7-4 run. 

Nevertheless, for every answer the second-year All-Star guard had, the Liberty worked for an answer, no matter how messy, such as Sabally’s 3-pointer after committing a turnover through an offensive foul that put the Liberty just two points behind to end the third quarter.