VIDEO: New York Liberty Head Coach Walt Hopkins along with Jazmine Jones and Layshia Clarendon after the team’s loss to the Dallas Wings on 7/31:
In Friday’s matchup against the Atlanta Dream (2-1), New York (0-3) fought back from down as many as 14 points but ultimately fell 78-84.
Liberty rookie guard Sabrina Ionescu left the game in the second quarter after suffering an ankle sprain.
Four Liberty players recorded double-digit scoring, and rookie guard Jazmine Jones led the way with 20 points in her second career game. Layshia Clarendon finished with 16, which marks her third-consecutive game in double-digit figures. Jocelyn Willoughby provided consistency from beyond the arc, scoring two of three three-point attempts, and totaling 14 points on the night. Ionescu finished with 10 points despite only logging 12 minutes.
UP NEXT:
New York will take on the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday, August 2. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 PM ET on ESPN.
KEY STATS:
In a game that saw 6 ties and 4 lead changes, New York shot 38.9% from the field, 24.1% from beyond the arc and 88.2% from the charity stripe.
New York finished with 34 points in the paint.
The Liberty’s 43-41 first half lead is the team’s first time outscoring an opponent in the first half this season.
Amanda Zahui B’s 2 blocks place her at 98 career blocks. Six Liberty players recorded at least one block today. Additionally, New York out-blocked Atlanta 11-2.
Layshia Clarendon has scored in double figures in three consecutive games this season. The last time Layshia scored double figures for three consecutive games was when they had 4-straight from 7/25/17 – 8/3/17 while on the Dream roster.
New York went on a 16-10 run to cut Atlanta’s lead to as little as two points in the fourth quarter.
Both teams recorded 19 points off the opponent’s 15 turnovers.
KEY RUNS:
1Q: After winning the tip, Atlanta came out hot opening the contest with a 12-0 run in the first five minutes on 50% (5-10) shooting from the field and 50% (1-2) from deep.
New York fought back with a 13-6 run of their own to close the quarter and shorten the gap to only 6 after going down as many as 13.
2Q: The Liberty opened the second quarter on a 11-3 run to take their first lead of the game, 25-27 with 6:39 left in the half. New York outscored Atlanta 27-19 in the second quarter to take a 2-point lead heading into the locker room.
3Q: Atlanta opened the third on a 13-0 run to take an 11-point lead with 5:22 remaining in the quarter. New York punched back with a 10-5 run to end the quarter and cut the deficit to 5 points.
4Q: Jocelyn Willoughby’s eight point fourth quarter performance got the Liberty within two points down the stretch.
LIBERTY NOTES:
Four New York players scored in double figures, Jones (20), Clarendon (16), Willoughby (14), and Ionescu (10).
Layshia Clarendon fouled out of the game but finished with 16 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds.
Ionescu left the game in the second quarter with an ankle sprain. Jones and Nurse have also suffered ankle sprains this season.
New York’s bench contributed 36 points, led by Jazmine Jones’ 20-point effort. Jones shot 60% (6-10) from the field.
Jocelyn Willoughby made her debut as a starter adding 14 points (2-3 3PT), 3 rebounds and 3 steals. Willoughby shot 50% (5-10) from the field and scored 8 of her 14 in the fourth quarter.
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