Sun-Liberty Game Thread

End of 4th quarter, Sun win 73-70: Wow, was I wrong about the Liberty. But the Sun aren't done. Connecticut withstood six fourth-quarter 3s by the Liberty and survived to force a decisive game 3, set for Monday night here at Mohegan Sun Arena.

New York hit six 3s within 6 and a half minutes, including three in less than two minutes, to whittle the Sun's lead, which had grown to 13 points, down to one with 1:20 to play. But the Liberty missed two 3s thereafter and Tamika Whitmore hit 2-of-4 free throws in the final 30 seconds to escape.

End of third quarter, Sun lead, 62-49: The Sun built a 15-point lead at one time, riding a variety of scorers. Asjha Jones, Svetlana Abrosimova, Tamika Whitmore, Kerri Gardin, Lindsay Whalen and Amber Holt all scored in the period, with Holt coming on strong late with a 3-pointer and four straight free throws.

The Liberty seem to be fading, a problem they've had in the third quarter at times this season, but stay tuned.

End of 2nd quarter, Sun lead, 40-32: Things cooled down a bit offensively for both teams, but it's the Liberty who are visibly frustrated. Shameka Christon, upset over a questionable charging foul called on her, was assessed a technical foul three minutes into the quarter for arguing with the official. Less than six minutes later, McCarville was hit with a T after she made a comment to a ref after her own offensive foul call. The Sun, though, missed both free throws awarded to them.

As for the rest of the quarter, Asjha Jones found a rhythm midway through, scoring six straight points to push her total to 10. Abrosimova, inserted into the starting lineup, is having a great game on both ends and has seven points; and Lindsay Whalen has her usual line (nine points, four rebounds, two assists).

Erin Thorn leads New York with eight points. She was at the center of the Liberty's only legitimate run of the game: a 7-0 spurt midway through the second quarter that had cut the Sun's lead to 32-27.

End of 1st quarter, Sun lead, 25-15: Now that's how you start a playoff game. The Sun played like the exact opposite of themselves Thursday. They hit their first six shots, played aggressive defense and ended the quarter in a flurry, too. Barbara Turner's 3 at the buzzer hit high off the rim and dropped in, giving the Sun a 10-point lead. A big difference has been the Sun's aggressive nature toward the rim. They put the Liberty in the bonus and have made 7-of-8 free throws.

The Liberty, though, have to be keeping an eye on Janel McCarville. The New York center appeared to knock knees with Svetlana Abrosimova (seven points) on a turnover and stayed down on the floor for several moments before they stopped the game. The Liberty trainer was checking her right knee as McCarville was an apparent pain before walking off the court on her own. She is in to start the second quarter, though.