Cappie Pondexter’s late lay-up lifts New York Liberty over Washington Mystics, 69-66 – WNBA Recap
Facing Washington Mystics for the third time in an eleven day stretch, Cappie Pondexter took over the game down the stretch and proved to be the difference-maker. Pondexter scored a game-high 26 points, including the go-ahead lay-up
with 13.5 seconds left, to help the New York Liberty beat the Washington Mystics, 69-66, on Tuesday night at Prudential Center. With this win, Liberty snapped their two-game losing streak.
Only two Liberty players reached double figures on the night. Apart from her scoring performance, Pondexter also grabbed six rebounds, dished out two assists in more than 33 minutes on the court. The 28-year-old guard shot 9 for
18 from the field, pinning 2 of 5 three-pointers, and a perfect 6 for 6 from free throw line. Liberty’s forward centre Plenette Pierson was the other Liberty player in the double figures. She posted 16 points on a 7 for 10 shooting from the floor in nearly
20 minutes of action.
The Mystics were led by their mercurial forward Crystal Langhorne, who racked up 25 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Langhorne ended with 10 for 13 from the field and ended at 5 for 7 from the line. Matee Ajavon
added 12 points, five assists and three rebounds in the second consecutive defeat of the Mystics.
New York shot 43.3 percent (26 for 60) from the field and 76.5 percent (13 for 17) from free throw line. Washington shot 43.1 percent (22 for 51) from the floor and 73.9 percent (17 for 23) from the line. Liberty pulled down 31
boards as compared to just 25 by the visiting team.
New York limited Washington to just 11 points in the first quarter and carried a 13-point lead, 24-11, into the second.
In the second quarter, Liberty stretched their lead to 16 points, 34-18, before Mystics responded with a 9-2 run to cut their deficit to nine at halftime. Washington outscored Liberty 15-13 in the third quarter to make it a seven-point
contest, 49-42, heading into the fourth.
Washington made a great comeback in the fourth quarter and went ahead by 66-65 with 25 seconds to go in the final period - their first lead of the game. However, Pondexter successfully drove to rim to put New York ahead by one.
Nicole Powell and Pierson then followed her with free throws to seal the victory.
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