NEW YORK, N.Y. – JUNE 14, 2015 – The Liberty fell to the Washington Mystics, 74-59 on Sunday evening at The Garden. Essence Carson and Carolyn Swords both had 12 points to lead the way for the Liberty, while Sugar Rodgers pitched in 10 with 5 assists and 7 rebounds.
Following a low-scoring first quarter, the Liberty started strong in the second and appeared to have found its offensive groove, outscoring the Mystics 9-3 to open the period, eventually building a 21-15 lead as Rodgers hooked up Tina Charles on the break.
But the momentum shifted quickly toward the visiting team, as Washington hit five of its next six shots from the field, needing just 2:21 to rattle off a 13-0 run, capped off by an Ivory Latta triple at 3:53, which gave the Mystics a 28-21 lead.
Tanisha Wright and Essence Carson had a pair of back-to-back jumpers to bring the Libs within three, but the Mystics ended the quarter with a lay in from Kara Lawson, taking a 35-29 lead into the locker room.
Washington pushed its lead to 10 thanks to an Armintie Harrington drive to the basket early in the third quarter and led by as many as 15 during the period. Led by Swords, who scored New York’s last six points of the quarter, New York was able to pull back within 11 heading into the final 10 minutes.
Early in the fourth, Washington’s lead had dwindled back down to eight as Brittany Boyd completed a 3-point play with 8:26 remaining to make it 56-48, but the Mystics scored the next five points and led by double digits the rest of the way.
For Washington, Ivory Latta had 20 points with three long balls, three assists and three rebounds while center Stefanie Dolson contributed 15 points, six rebounds and three assists.
The Mystics hit 10 3-pointers and shot 44.3 percent from the field, the highest for a New York foe so far this season. Conversely, the Liberty controlled the glass, holding a 43-28 rebounding margin, and led 13-4 in second-chance scoring. But Washington forced 19 turnovers, which directly led to 21 points.
New York returns to action next Friday, June 19, when it hosts the Indiana Fever on Pride Night presented by Resorts World Casino. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Notes
- The Liberty shot a season-high 71 attempts but a season-low 31-percent from the field.
- Tina Charles scored her season low, six points in the game on 3-17 shooting from the field after leading New York offensively in each of the first four games of the year.
- Washington shot 41.7 percent from behind the arc, with 10 three pointers, while New York hit just one shot from 3-point range.
- Washington shot 44.3 percent and made 27 field goals, both season highs for a Liberty opponent.
- New York will next see Washington on Thursday, July 9th at the Verizon Center.
- New York rookie forward Rebecca Allen will miss the remainder of the season due to a cartilage injury to her right knee.
- Ivory Latta led all scorers with 20 points, hitting three 3-pointers.