For NYLiberty.com
By Arden Franklyn
Certain opponents will be a thorn in the side of every team and the New York Liberty might have found theirs. For the second time in nine days, the Connecticut Sun pulled off a victory over their New York based rivals by winning 94-89, at Madison Square Garden. Following the Liberty’s near 21-point comeback, these are the three takeaways from Friday’s game.
1. Second Quarter Scoring
Where the score stands at the end of a first half, can be a big indicator of who will win the game, New York is now 2-4 when trailing at the half. And although the Liberty are 5-2 in their last seven games, their second quarter scoring has been a little low. Dating back to June 4th, when New York scored 24 2nd quarter points vs. the Phoenix Mercury, the Liberty have failed to reach the 20-point threshold in the 2nd period over the last 5 games. Against the Sun on Friday night, they created one of their lowest quarter point productions of the season with 14.
2. Lost In Translation
On defense, the Liberty have shown a ability to run multiple schemes that can create turnovers and limit opportunities for opposing offenses. But the Sun successfully took care of the ball with eight turnovers to the Liberty’s 14 and often had them out of position on defense. Their pick and roll plays along with constant ball movement, created various openings and Jonquel Jones, Courtney Williams and Jasmine Jones took advantage by scoring a combined total of 55 points.
3. When there’s Tina, there’s a way
After a very slow start in the first half with two points, Tina Charles came to life by scoring 18 points in the second half. Those 18 Points sparked the Liberty’s comeback from a 21-point deficit late in the game. Charles’s post game and awareness of defenders was evident by her almost securing a triple double with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Once the multi-time gold medalist found her rhythm, the momentum shifted back in the Liberty’s favor.