The Date: Sunday, 7/17/2K11
The Locale: Prudential Center, aka 'The Rock,' Newark, New Jersey
All-Star guard Cappie Pondexter scored 18 points and center Kia Vaughn continued her much improved play with 15 points and 8 rebounds as the Liberty cruised to an easy 88-57 win over the hapless Tulsa Shock. 1st time All-Star Essence Carson, wearing goggles due to a minor injury sustained to her right eye on July 1 against San Antonio, chipped in with 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting off the bench. Forward Plenette Pierson, returning to the starting lineup after not playing Friday, July 15 versus Connecticut nursing a knee injury, scored 12 points. For the Shock, they were led by former Liberty player Tiffany Jackson with 17 points and 11 rebounds. WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes played only 16 minutes and scored just 3 points on 1-of-6 shooting from the floor. With the victory, New York upped their record to 9-6, while Tulsa dropped to an abysmal 1-14 on the season.
The Liberty continue to play well as a unit on the defensive end, which for the most part has been the catalyst for their success thus far. They outrebounded Tulsa, 39-22 and held them to just 34% shooting from the field. The Shock play hard despite their poor record, but there's no consistent cohesion on both offense and defense. They have very talented young players that they can build on for the future and also have the veteran presence of both Swoopes and Betty Lennox, but they are still in a rebuilding stage as the franchise continues to adjust in their 2nd season in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
~Other Notes~
*During halftime, New York Liberty legend guard Teresa Weatherspoon was inducted into the franchise's 'Ring of Honor,' the 2nd player to receive the accolade this season. All 6,700+ fans in attendance gave T-Spoon a most deserving standing ovation for her great achievements as a player and leader of the Liberty from 1997 to 2003.
*6'8, 19-year-old Tulsa Shock rookie center Liz Cambage (cam-beige) from Australia, scored 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting and blocked a couple of shots in her 24 minutes on the floor. An imposing presence, but after chatting with her briefly in the locker room, postgame, I was impressed by her maturity and she is gorgeous-looking!
*I also had the opportunity to briefly chat with former Olympian and 2nd year Shock player Marion Jones. She told me that she is grateful for the chance to play in the WNBA. I also briefly chatted with veterans Betty Lennox & Tiffany Jackson of the Shock. Liberty locker room was loose & fun after their win. Next game I'm covering: Saturday 7/30/2K11 vs one of the top teams in the league, the Phoenix Mercury, at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ in what promises to be a great measuring-stick game for the Lib!
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