New York Liberty Limit High Scoring Shock But Fall 71-62 on the Road
June 26, 2015 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
New York Liberty News Release
TULSA, OK - Despite a strong defensive effort, where the Liberty limited the Tulsa Shock, the highest scoring team in the WNBA, to a season-low 33.9 shooting percentage from the field, New York lost 71-62 on Sunday night at the BOK Center in Tulsa.
After a fast-paced first half that saw both teams shoot over 40.0 percent, there was not much offensive rhythm in the second, particularly in the third quarter when despite missing its first five shots and turning the ball over six times before getting on the score board, the Liberty (4-4) were outscored by just one, as Tulsa (7-1) shot just 11.8 percent (2-of-17).
The NY deficit was only five heading into the final quarter, but Tulsa was able to get enough key shots to drop to extend its lead to double figures for the first time, making it 61-51 as Skylar Diggins spun in the paint and converted a nine-foot jumper; she finished with a season-low nine points, shooting 2-of-9 with a pair of turnovers.
New York pulled back within five as Brittany Boyd found Carolyn Swords in the paint for an easy two, then stole a Plenette Pierson pass that she converted to a free throw at the other end to make it 61-56.
Approaching the two minute mark, Riquna Williams came up with a clutch 3-pointer to put the Shock in front by 11, then hit from downtown again a minute later to make it a 14-point lead. She was the only Tulsa player to score in double figures, coming off the bench to finish with 11 points.
Tulsa shot 10-for-24 from 3-point range and saw six different players connect on at least one triple, but was just 11-of-38 (28.9 percent) from inside the arc; the Shock entered the game leading the WNBA shooting 39.2 percent from three.
Sugar Rodgers, starting her second-career WNBA game, scored a game-high 12 points, reaching double figures for the fourth-straight game, shooting 2-for-3 from 3-point range.
New York faced an eight point deficit twice in the opening half, came back to tie the game on two occasions but never took the lead, trailing 45-41 at the half.
Jordan Hooper hit a three with 1:09 left in the first quarter to make it 27-19, but Essence Carson answered with a trey of her own on the other end, three of her seven first-quarter points.
New York closed the first on a 6-0 run, only to trail by eight once again in the second half as Amanda Zahui B connected from beyond-the-arc, making it 34-26.
The Liberty responded with an 8-0 run, capped off with a Sugar Rodgers 3-pointer then a 20-foot Tina Charles jumper to knot the score at 34-34.
Rodgers' second trey at 2:44 resulted in the fourth tie and New York had three chances to take its first lead of the game, but a Williams triple resulted in a four-point Tula lead at the intermission.
New York returns to Madison Square Garden to host the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday, June 28, at 3 p.m. The Liberty will hosting Maddie's 19th Birthday Celebration, presented by Fidelis Care.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from June 26, 2015
- New York Liberty Limit High Scoring Shock But Fall 71-62 on the Road - New York Liberty
- Pondexter And Quigley Shine As Sky Rally Past Fever - Chicago Sky
- Pohlen Receives WNBA Cares Community Assist Award Presented by State Farm - Indiana Fever
- Jeanette Pohlen Receives WNBA Cares Community Assist Award Presented by State Farm - WNBA
- WNBA Pride Month Highlighted by National TV Game on June 30 - WNBA
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.
