Cappie Pondexter shines as New York Liberty topple Connecticut Sun 84-81 in O.T. – WNBA Recap: Pt 1
Cappie Pondexter tallied a team high 27 points, including a go-ahead jumper with 24 seconds remaining, to lead New York Liberty to an 84-81 overtime victory the Connecticut Sun on Thursday night at Prudential Center.
It was New York’s second consecutive victory and third in their previous five games. The victory snapped two-game winning streak for the Sun, who are second in the Eastern Conference with a 16-9 record.
“I am a scorer and a winner,'' said Pondexter “I am willing to do whatever is necessary to win. If I have to score, I will do it. I want to put the team on my shoulders and bring it home.”
Pondexter, who is one among the leading MVP candidates this season, also grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists during her 45 minutes on the floor. The 28-year-old guard shot 11 for 26 from the field, including 3 for
7 beyond the arc.
Liberty head coach John Whisenant said when asked about Pondexter’s chances in the WNBA MVP contest, “She is definitely an MVP candidate. She plays up every game with the game on the line. She practices hard and plays hard.''
It was also a landmark game for Whisenant, who earned the 100th win of his WNBA coaching career. The 66-year-old coach, who was the WNBA coach of the Year 2005, is in his first year with New York after serving Sacramento
Monarchs for five years.
Essence Carson scored 19 points, pulled down eight rebounds, stole the ball five times and dished out three assists in the victory. Carson ended with 8 for 17 shooting from the field in more than 38 minutes. However, the 6 ft forward
player missed all of her three-point attempts.
Kia Vaughn finally got her shooting touch back and recorded double-double for Los Angeles. Vaughn added 17 points and 11 rebounds. The player also blocked three shots and hit 8 for 15 from the floor.
Four Sun players also scored in double figures on the night. Tina Charles recorded a double-double to lead Connecticut in the losing effort. Charles racked up a game high 29 points and 14 rebounds for Connecticut. Charles' monster
game also included three steals and two blocks. She finished the game on a 10 for 20 conversion from the field and 9 for 11 from free throw line.
Renee Montgomery totalled 16 points and five assists while Asjha Jones had 11 rebounds and 10 points in the loss. Guard Kara Lawson also came off the bench with 10 points for Sun, who have lost four of their previous 10 games.
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