Cappie Pondexter propels New York Liberty to a 69-66 win over Washington Mystics: WNBA Analysis Pt-3
The game got off to an even start. Kia Vaughn started the proceedings with a driving layup on a Cappie Pondexter dish and after Matee Ajavon opened Washington Mystics’ account with two free throws; she again slipped in a layup
to give New York Liberty a two point advantage.
Another layup form Plenette Pierson followed to make it 6-2. She nailed in another jumper sandwiched between 2 two’s from Mystics as the scores reached 6-8 with 6:30 remaining in the first quarter.
That was the point where Pondexter made her first impact on the game. She started by canning a jumper and after Matee Ajavon fumbled a driving layup attempt on the other end; she slipped in a layup to start an 11-2 spurt that was
capped jumper from Pierson. Pierson scored seven points in that surge which gave Liberty a 19-8 lead with 3:41 to go.
Liberty continued to dominate in the passage that followed and by the time the first quarter ended, they held a 24-11 lead.
Mystics started the second frame with a three point play to bring the deficit down to 10, but Liberty responded with a 8-2 run to sprint to a 32-16 lead with 5:40 to go till the break. Crystal Langhorne and Marissa Coleman however
combined for an 11-4 run till the break to ensure that the Mystics go to the locker room down by single digits at 27-36.
Langhorne carried the momentum after the break and benefiting from some sloppy play and cold shooting of Liberty, she slipped in three consecutive layups to make it a four point game at 33-37 midway through the quarter.
Liberty countered with 9-4 spurt though as the team headed into the final frame with the teams separated by only seven points.
That deficit was quickly brought to three by Langhorne and when Ajavon knocked down a three with 6:00 remaining on the clock, the Mystics creeped with two points of Liberty at 52-54. New York however did just enough again to pull
away and led by 5 with 3:18 remaining.
Langhorne again delivered for Mystics at that point. She made consecutive two’s and brought Mystics within striking distance. DeMya Walker made her efforts count by making a three point play on the next possession and tied the
game at 63. Mystics then took the lead on an Ajavon trey, but failed to guard Pondexter on return as Liberty squeaked past.
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