WASHINGTON — Every new season comes with its share of initial difficulties, but the Liberty looked vulnerable Tuesday night against the Mystics in its second season opener for the superteam.
There was nothing surprising about their 85-80 victory.
For most of the night, the Mystics tested Liberty with big blocks and buzzer-beating shots.
Jonquel Jones led the Liberty team with 25 points, Betoniya Rainey-Hamilton added 20 points and Sabrina Ionescu scored 15 points despite making 1-of-7 3-pointers.
Brianna Stewart also struggled, finishing with just eight points on 3-of-9 shooting.
Trailing by three points at the half and trailing by eight points at the end of the third quarter, Liberty opened the fourth quarter with a 16-4 run to take a 75-71 lead with 2:54 remaining. The lead increased to 81-74 in the second.
However, thanks to charging fouls on Jones and Stewart, the Mystics made one final charge.
Brittany Sykes took advantage, making three consecutive baskets to bring Washington within 81-80.
Ionescu made two free throws with 15.8 seconds left to extend the lead to 83-80, but Liberty forced Carly Samuelson to make a long 3-point attempt with 2.1 seconds left, but it went wide. Ionescu made two more free throws in the second. .
Liberty turned it over 20 times and the Mystics scored 19 points.
