TEAM NOTABLES

In the first matchup of a two-game set in the Peach State, the New York Liberty (8-8) overpowered the Atlanta Dream (5-9), 101-78, the team’s largest margin of victory this season and highest scoring game in 2021 (previously 93 at Chicago).

Tonight, the Liberty snapped their two-game losing streak, evening their record to .500 on the 2021 season.

In a contest that saw zero lead changes and one tie, New York finished with 22 team assists. The team also totaled 36 rebounds and four steals. New York led by as many as 24 and compiled season-highs in both the third quarter (26 points) and final frame (32 points).

In the team’s first win since last Sunday against LA, New York connected on 13 three pointers, one shy of the season-high of 14 (two times). The Liberty tallied 34 points in the paint and converted on 9 second-chance points.

New York finished on 53.4% (31-58) shooting from the field, 40.6% (13-32) from beyond the arc and 85.7% (24-28) at the free throw line. When the Liberty shoot 40% or better from deep, the team wins.

Up Next: On Tuesday, June 29, the New York Liberty will again take on the Atlanta Dream in the back half of the two-game set. Tip-off is 7 pm ET on ESPN3 and Bally Sports South.

PLAYER NOTABLES

Four Liberty players scored in double figures in tonight’s game (Whitcomb, Laney, Onyenwere, Ionescu).

Sami Whitcomb led all scorers with a career-high 30 points on 58.3% (7-12) from distance, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. She tallied a game-high 22 first-half points, tying her career high. Whitcomb’s seven three-pointers tied the Liberty’s all-time single-game record, making her just the sixth player in team history to do so.

Sixteen games into the 2021 season, Sami has already eclipsed her 2020 scoring total (167) with 197. She is also averaging a career-high 12.3 points and 5.3 boards per contest, more than twice as many as her previous rebounding career-high average of 2.3.

Betnijah Laney was the second leading Liberty scorer with 28 points on 57.1% (8-14) from the field, 42.9% (3-7) from deep, also adding 6 assists and 3 rebounds against her former team. Tonight, Betnijah scored in double figures for the 15^th time through her first 16 games in Seafoam. Laney has scored 20 or more points in 11 games this season.

Rookie of the Year frontrunner, Michaela Onyenwere, totaled 18 points on 75.0% (6-8) shooting and 85.7% (6-7) from the line.

Back in the starting lineup, Sabrina Ionescu posted 10 points on 60.0% (3-5) shooting from the field, a game-high 8 assists and 6 rebounds. Tonight was Sabrina’s first double-digit game since she scored 15 against the Dallas Wings on May 24.

Kylee Shook tied her career-high 11 rebounds for the second consecutive game and finished with 6 points on 42.9% (3-7) shooting.

Chennedy Carter led Atlanta in scoring with 23 points on 52.6% (10-19) shooting and 80.0% (4-5) from the line.

Cheyenne Parker tallied 14 points on 50.0% (5-10) shooting from the field to go along with 4 rebounds.