Sugar Rodgers. Photo by: Stacy Podelski/1495 Sports
The New York Liberty overcame multiple double-digit deficits in their matchup against the Connecticut Sun, briefly taking a lead on each occasion. However, the Sun (15-12) worked up an insurmountable fourth-quarter lead and the Liberty (7-19) fell, 92-77, at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Wednesday night.
The Liberty began the second half on a 10-0 run, briefly crediting a 49-48 advantage. However, the Sun responded with a 11-2 run of their own to take a lead they wouldn’t reliniquish. The final 15-point margin of victory was a stark contrast from the first two matchups between these two teams, as each ended on game-winning buzzer beaters.
“We could not quite ever get any rhythm.” Head coach Katie Smith began. “We knew that they were going to pay a lot of attention to Tina [Charles] every time she touched the ball. We didn’t hit shots when we needed to but the defensive end was probably the biggest problem as we allowed them to penetrate and get buckets at the rim both off the dribble and a couple three balls. We gave them too much space and didn’t take away the shot or the drive.”
Making her fifth start of the season, Sugar Rodgers led the Liberty with 16 points, hitting three of her seven attempts from behind the arc. The guard chipped in six assists as well, the fifth of which was the 300th of her career.
Brittany Boyd had another standout game for the Liberty, finishing with 14 points, eight assists and six rebounds. The floor general has had at least eight helpers in five of her last seven appearances.
Amanda Zahui B and Charles also finished in double figures, registering 14 and 12 points, respectively. Charles also added six rebounds and three blocks to the Liberty cause.
“We are just trying to win the game.” Charles explained. “I think every matchup we play in this league and every team is great. I think where the standings are, everything is in bunches and everyone is trying to figure themselves out before certain teams get into the playoffs.”
The loss was the Liberty’s fifth in a row. They will look for more success against the Indiana Fever on Saturday. Tip-off for their third clash of the season is set for 3:00 p.m. (ET) at the Westchester County Center.
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