In this week’s New York Liberty International Update, everyone is back in action and almost into postseason play! Majority of the Liberty players are wrapping up the regular season and preparing for the postseason.
Tanisha Wright and Maccabi Bnot Ashdod are on a five game winning streak where she is averaging 13.3ppg, 6.3rpg and 5.8apg. She continues to be a factor on both ends of the court for her team. Kiah Stokes and Bichumi remain in third place in the WKBL standings and she continues to dominate posting another double-double scoring 14 points and 15 rebounds. Tina Charles and Xinjiang lock up first place in their league going 9-3 in the WCBA third stage. She posted another double-double for her international records scoring 27 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.
ESSENCE CARSON #32 – Canik BLD
8-8 (7th in KBSL)
Recent Results
Jan. 23: 69-79 L (17 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast, 33 min)
In Round 16, Canik faced their rival Abdullah Gul where they lost by 10 points. This was highlighted as the game of the week but Canik BLD could not pull through with the win to move them up in standings. They now drop to 7th place and Abdullah Gul moves to 4th. Essence contributed 17 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assist in 33 minutes of play. In the next round they will face Fenerbahce who they beat earlier in the season 77-72.
| GM | MIN | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3FG | 3FGA | 3FG% | FTM | FTA | FT% | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | |
| #32 ESSENCE CARSON | 16 | 27.3 | 160 | 66 | 41.3 | 7 | 37 | 18.9 | 35 | 39 | 89.7 | 2.6 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 11.8 |
Tanisha Wright – Maccabi Ashdod
11-4 (2nd in Israel-D1)
Recent Results:
Jan. 21: 90-79 W (8pts, 4reb, 3ast, 1stl, 23min)
Second ranked Maccabi Ashdod hosted sixth ranked Hapoel Rishon Le-Zion and won 90-79. Maccabi Ashdod dominated in the paint scoring 62 of its points compared to Hapoel Rishon Le-Zion’s 38. The team completely outrebounded Hapoel Rishon 39-28 including a 33-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Maccabi Ashdod looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assist, this victory became the fifth consecutive win. Tanisha was able to score 8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assist and 1 steal in 23 minutes of play. They look forward to their next game against seventh ranked Elitzur Holon.
| GM | MIN | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3FG | 3FGA | 3FG% | FTM | FTA | FT% | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | |
| #12 Tanisha Wright | 4 | 28.0 | 41 | 18 | 43.9 | 2 | 4 | 50.0 | 11 | 14 | 78.6 | 6.3 | 5.8 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 13.3 |
Kiah Stokes #41- Samsung Life Blue Minx
12-12 (3rd in WKBL)
Recent Results:
Jan. 21: 67-76 L (2reb, 1stl, 14min)
Jan. 24: 69-66 W (14pts, 15reb, 2stl, 30min)
The game against Hanabank ended Bichumi’s two-game winning streak. The team combined committed 25 personal fouls which helped their opponent get some easy free throw opportunities. Bichumi now have 12 games lost that keeps them at third place. The team was about to bounce back in round 23 when they faced Winnus. Kiah stepped up and had a double-double scoring 14 points and 15 rebounds in 30 minutes of play. In the next game they will face KB Stars who has been a tough opponent for them all season. Kiah is now averaging 9.9ppg and 9.3rpg
| GM | MIN | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3FG | 3FGA | 3FG% | FTM | FTA | FT% | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | |
| #41 Kiah Stokes | 24 | 24.3 | 173 | 97 | 56.1 | 2 | 2 | 100.0 | 34 | 69 | 49.3 | 9.3 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 9.9 |
Avery Warley-Talbert #23- Botas
7-9 (T-10th in KBSL)
Recent Results:
Jan. 23: 65-75 L (5 pts, 12 reb, 35 min)
Fenerbahce has been a tough opponent for Botas for majority of the season. In round 16 this week Botas was not able to gain the victory against Fenerbahce 65-75. However, Avery contributed 5 points and 12 rebounds in 35 minutes. They look forward to their next game against Edirne.
| GM | MIN | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3FG | 3FGA | 3FG% | FTM | FTA | FT% | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | |
| #23 Avery Warley-Talbert | 16 | 30.5 | 162 | 87 | 53.7 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 40 | 63 | 63.5 | 10.4 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 13.4 |
TINA CHARLES #31- Xinjiang
15-1 ( 1st in Top 6 WCBA)
9-3 (WCBA Stage 3)
Recent Results:
Jan. 16: 82-78 W(27 pts, 14 reb, 5ast, 2 stl, 40 min)
Jan. 19: 86-80 W
Xinjiang were able to win back to back against Guangdong. In the first game Tina posted a double-double scoring 27 points and 14 rebounds to assist her team in the victory, she is averaging 24.0 ppg and 12.1rpg. In the second game she did not play but the team won 86-80. Xianjiang made 23 of 25 free throws during the game which helped them gain the W. They are on a five game winning streak which keeps them in first place. In the third stage their record is 9-3 in Group 1.
| GM | MIN | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3FG | 3FGA | 3FG% | FTM | FTA | FT% | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | |
| #31 TINA CHARLES | 16 | 310 | 164 | 52.9 | 4 | 10 | 40.0 | 88 | 113 | 77.9 | 10.9 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 26.8 |
Rebecca Allen #9- SEQ
10-8 (6th in WNBL)
Recent Results:
Jan. 23: 115-75 W (3 pts, 2 reb, 1ast, 2stl, 19min)
SEQ faced 9th ranked Canberra where they won 115-75. SEQ outrebounded Canberra 44 to 18 in total. This is their second win against Canberra this season and adds to their two game winning streak. Rebeca was able to contribute 3 points and 2 rebounds on the winning side. In the next round they will face Sydney where Rebecca Allen will face her New York Liberty teammate Carolyn Swords for the second time this season.
| GM | MIN | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3FG | 3FGA | 3FG% | FTM | FTA | FT% | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | |
| #9 Rebecca Allen | 6 | 19.8 | 30 | 10 | 33.3 | 6 | 21 | 28.6 | 3 | 4 | 75.0 | 5.2 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 6.8 |