WNBA New York Liberty

Liberty Looking for Four Straight

August 15, 2005 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
New York Liberty News Release


The Liberty picked up another crucial win last night in its drive for the playoffs! You saw an action packed game at The Garden when the Liberty defeated the Sting, 73-65. It was the team's third straight victory and third consecutive win at home. The Liberty will look to make it four in a row tomorrow when the team takes on Washington at 7:30 p.m. Come support Becky Hammon as she leads the Liberty up against Alana Beard and the Mystics in a battle for playoff position!

It's almost playoff time, so make sure to get your Liberty gear now so you can be decked out when the post-season rolls around. For Tuesday only at the Team Store, purchase any On Court jersey and you'll receive a free player card set. And don't forget to look for the new $10 and $15 markdowns: the Store has great sales on items such as hats, drawstring bags and shorts.

There's always a steal of a deal on food and beverages at Play by Play! On Tuesday the restaurant will be offering buy-one-get-one free on appetizers. Wash down your chicken fingers and mozzarella sticks with a Smirnoff Ice bottle for just $3 or a domestic draft for only $2.

The concession stands have just the right thing to 'hit the spot.' Nachos with cheese are only $2 on Tuesday. Plus, with our "$weet Treat$" menu, goodies like Cracker Jacks and Push-Up Pops are always just $1 and $2.

Liberty fans always save on parking with Meyers. Take your ticket stub or proof of payment to the game to the Meyers indoor lot on 31st Street between 8th and 9th Avenues and pay only $20.

Don't miss any of the action - buy your tickets now for Tuesday's game!

Plus, playoff tickets are now on sale! Tickets for the 2005 WNBA Playoffs went on sale this morning. You will want to be there as Shameka Christon leads the Liberty against the WNBA's best this post-season.

Get all your tickets at the MSG Box Office, by phone at 877-WNBA-TIX or online at nyliberty.com.

See you Tuesday at The Garden!

THE MATCH-UP

New York hosts the Washington Mystics Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Madison Square Garden ... It will be the third meeting between the two teams this season ... The Liberty is currently 16-13 (.552) and in third place in the Eastern Conference.

ALL-TIME AGAINST THE WASHINGTON MYSTICS (17-10)

The Liberty has won the majority of its games against Washington, having prevailed in 17 of the 27 games the two teams have played since the Mystics entered the league in 1998 ... The Eastern Conference rivals have played twice already this season and the Liberty holds a 2-0 advantage in the series ... New York won, 77-68, in Washington on June 1 and 61-58 in the Big Apple on June 5.

TEAM NOTES

WE'RE GOING STREAKING

The Liberty has a bit of a winning streak going ... Sunday's victory over Charlotte was the third in a row for New York ... This is the fourth time in 2005 the team has won three straight overall ... The Liberty has also now won three consecutive games at home ... This is the second time this season that New York has claimed three straight at The Garden ... The Liberty will be going for its fourth consecutive victory both overall and at home on Tuesday when Washington comes to town ... A win over the Mystics will make the first time this season the team will win four straight overall and the second time going four in a row at The Garden.

IN IT TO WIN IT

Sunday's win over Charlotte continued to build on the Liberty's winning record ... The team is now 16-13 (.552) overall ... The three games over .500 is the most this year for New York ... The team was two games above .500 once earlier this season ... This is the sixth time in 2005 that the Liberty has boasted a winning record ... Sunday's victory also boosted the team's record at home ... The Liberty is currently 9-6 (.600) at The Garden.

A THORN IN THE STING'S SIDE

Erin Thorn had quite a game against Charlotte on Sunday ... She played 24 minutes, went 3-4 from the field for eight points, and dished out three assists ... Her 24 minutes on the floor and three helpers both tied Thorn's career highs ... She also tied her career high in steals with the one she nabbed in the game.

KEEP IT UP

One key to the Liberty's success is field goal accuracy ... New York is 13-4 when it shoots the same as or better than its opponent from the field in a game ... The team out-shot the Sting on Sunday, .435-.424

THREE'S A CROWD

New York kept the Sting scoreless from long range on Sunday ... The Liberty's defense held Charlotte to 0-5 shooting from three-point land in the game ... It was the second time this season the team has held its opponent scoreless from beyond the arc ... Minnesota went 0-13 from long distance on July 24.

BARANOVA ON THE BOARDS

Elena Baranova hit the boards hard in Sunday's win over the Sting ... She nabbed 10 total rebounds for the second straight game and fifth time overall this season ... Ten is her 2005 rebounding high ... Baranova also pulled in four offensive boards, which is a personal best for 2005 ... That eclipses the three O-boards she posted twice earlier this season.

THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE

The Liberty once again out-performed its opponent from the free throw line on Sunday ... New York topped Charlotte, .917-882, from the charity stripe in the game ... The team has equaled or bested its opponents from the line in 21 of the 29 games so far this season ... The team is currently shooting .817 from the charity stripe, which is tops in the WNBA.

I TAKE OFFENSE TO THAT

The Liberty cleaned up the offensive glass in Sunday's win over Charlotte ... The team pulled down 15 O-boards, a new season high ... That surpasses the 12 offensive boards the team grabbed on Friday against the Sting and on August 2 against Connecticut .

MAKING HER MARK

Cathrine Kraayeveld had a career game against the Sting on Sunday ... The Liberty rookie set or tied nine career highs in the victory ... Her 20 minutes, five free throw attempts, two defensive rebounds, four total boards and three blocked shots are all new personal bests ... Kraayeveld's two field goals, three free throws and one assist all tied her career highs.

GOING FOR THE TRI-FECTA

The Liberty will look to make it a perfect 3 for 3 against the Mystics on Tuesday ... The match-up will be the third between New York and Washington this season ... The Liberty prevailed, 77-68, on June 1 in D.C., and 61-58, on June 5 in the Big Apple.

RECORDS WERE MADE TO BE BROKEN

Vickie Johnson's 23 points in the first New York-Washington match-up this season is the most points a Liberty player has ever scored against the Mystics ... Johnson broke her own record of 22 points, which she set against Washington on July 24, 2000 ... Becky Hammon and former player Tari Phillips also previously scored 22 on the Mystics, on August 9, 2002 and August 8, 2002, respectively.

LIKE BUTTER

New York is on a roll against Washington ... The Liberty has taken three straight from the Mystics, dating back to last year ... In addition to the two New York wins this season, the Liberty also defeated the visiting Mystics, 79-75, on September 19, 2004.

SEEING DOUBLE

Vickie Johnson posted her only double-double of the season against Washington on June 1 ... It was also the first double dip of 2005 for the Liberty ... She recorded 23 points and 10 rebounds in the game ... Since then, Elena Baranova, Becky Hammon and Ann Wauters have each posted double-doubles.

Check out the New York Liberty Statistics



Women's National Basketball Association Stories from August 15, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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