The second quarter ended with a 10-1 run for the Mercury, putting them up by 3.
This game has been tight but after the performance put on by the Libs on Tuesday, they should be capable of getting the win.
#LightItUpNYL 38
#ValleyTogether 41
New York needs more scoring from down the lineup. Stewart (14) and Ionescu (9) lead the team, while Cloud (6) is the only other player with more than 3 points.
#LIGHTITUPNYL
Stewart is absolutely carrying this team right now. She nets a free-throw and 2 lay-ups to cut the Libs' deficit to 2. She's up to 19 points tonight.
Q3: 8:24
#LightItUpNYL 43
#ValleyTogether 45
Liberty regain the lead! 2 free-throws by Cloud and Ionescu and 2 two-pointers by Johannes and Stewart puts the home team up by 1 and the crowd is loving it.
Q3: 5:21
#LightItUpNYL 55
#ValleyTogether 54
These teams continue to trade the lead. New York takes a timeout after the Mercury take a two-point lead off of a Makani jumper.
Q4: 7:02
#LightItUpNYL 68
#ValleyTogether 70
A nice assist from Ionescu allows Sabally to score a layup. Liberty are gonna need a bit of a rally here late in the fourth quarter as they trail by 7.
Q4: 7:02
#LightItUpNYL 74
#ValleyTogether 81
Stewart goes 1-2 on free-throws, making that the first time she has missed all night. New York is going to need to make a run here to tie it up in these final two minutes.
Q4: 1:40
#LightItUpNYL 79
#ValleyTogether 86
Clock winds down as the Liberty drop this one 88-81, handing them their first home loss of the season. Breanna Stewart led both teams with a whopping 35 points.
#LightItUpNYL #ValleyTogether
Burke explained how the defense needs to improve in order to eliminate those offensive rebounds we saw tonight, especially now that Jones’ status is uncertain going into next game. #LIGHTITUPNYL
Natasha Cloud discussed the Libs’ past two games, crediting their struggles starting games too slow. She is also very happy with the “trajectory of this league.”
#LIGHTITUPNYL
Final score from Brooklyn: 89-81 Mercury.
Game notes:
- JJ leaves game with injury in second quarter
- Stewart sets new season high of 35
- Tight game until the fourth quarter when Phoenix just took control
#LIGHTITUPNYL
Here’s my post-game recap: