Once again the Queen of Clutch comes through as Cappie Pondexter recorded 17 points in the fourth quarter to lead the New York Liberty (16-12) to a 74-70 victory over her former team the Phoenix Mercury (15-11) on Tuesday night.

Pondexter is at her best when the game is on the line, and when her back is against the wall and proved it by taking over the fourth quarter for New York. Cappie finished the night with 25 total points going 9-for-20 from the field along with two three-pointers and five free throws, to help her team comeback from a seven-point deficit in the third quarter.

Arizona-native Nicole Powell shined in her homecoming, tallying 16 points having a 6-for-12 day from the field. Kia Vaughn and Plenette Pierson both finished the night with 10 points, rounding out the Liberty scoring.

Phoenix was without star-player Diana Taurasi, were led by forward Candice Dupree-who led all scorers with 17 points. Penny Taylor also had a good night for the Mercury, tallying 14 points to go along with nine boards and four dishes.

If tonight’s victory wasn’t emotional enough for Cappie Pondexter, the guard will have a home-and-home series with the Chicago Sky, with one game in her hometown on Sunday-before returning to the Prudential Center to host the Sky on Tuesday, August 30.

Written on August 24, 2011