WNBA: New York Liberty vs Phoenix Mercury

The Date: Saturday 7/30/2K11
The Prudential Center, aka The Rock, Newark, NJ

All-Star forward Penny Taylor scored a game-high 29 points and fellow All-Star Diana Taurasi chipped in with 16 points as the visiting Mercury defeated the Liberty, 91-84, ending a 3-game losing streak. After the Liberty cut the deficit to two, trailing 84-82 with under two minutes remaining on a 3-ball by All-Star Cappie Pondexter, Taurasi responded by scoring five consecutive points during the final minute to help seal the much-needed victory for Phoenix, who improved to 11-7 on the season. New York fell to 10-8 in a tough, emotional game and play again on Tuesday night, August 2 against a dangerous Atlanta Dream squad on the road.
In the losing effort, Nicole Powell led New York with 16 points and had 6 steals. Plenette Pierson scored 15 and Pondexter chipped in with 13 on just 4-of-19 shooting. (1-8 from 3pt range)

~Other Keynotes~

*Liberty center Kia Vaughn continued her amazing play with 11 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and a blocked shot. All-Star Essence Carson struggled off the bench for New York, scoring 12 points on just 4-of-15 from the floor and turned the ball over five times. As a team, the Liberty shot a dismal 58% from the foul line (11-19 FT) and the defense gave up 51% shooting to the Mercury. Bright spot of the game for New York was the strong play of reserve center Quanitra Hollingsworth. Despite being in foul trouble throughout the contest, 'Q' brought it with her energy and scored 8 points and grabbed 8 rebounds (5 on the offensive glass) in just over 20 minutes on the floor.
*Mercury guard/forward and reigning two-time Sixth Woman of the Year winner DeWanna Bonner played her usual expectional game off the bench with 8 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocked shots in just over 18 minutes on the floor. All-Star forward Candice Dupree had a modest showing with 10 points and 7 rebounds. Bright spot of the game for Phoenix was the play of back-up point guard Ketia Swanier. The 3rd year talent out of U.Conn  contributed with 8 points and handed out a game-high 7 assists. As a team, the Mercury went to the foul line 28 times and converted on 26 of their shots for a 93% clip. Both Penny Taylor and Diana Taurasi combined for a perfect 17-for-17 from the line.
*Over 7,200 fans were in the arena on a beautiful Saturday summer night to enjoy a great basketball game. There were a few questionable calls from the officials that didn't go in New York's favor and the fans voiced their displeasure big-time, especially after the game by booing the refs as they left the court.
*I had the opportunity to briefly interview Mercury assistant coach/former great WNBA player Bridget Pettis and Pro Basketball Hall-Of-Famer Nancy Lieberman, who was in town promoting her new book titled, "Playbook For Success." Next home game I'll be covering will be on Sunday, September 4 at 4pm when the Liberty play one of the best and most talented teams in the league this season, the Minnesota Lynx.

WNBA: NEW YORK LIBERTY VS LOS ANGELES SPARKS

The Date: Sunday, 6/26/2K11
The Locale: Prudential Center, aka "The Rock," Newark, NJ

Cappie Pondexter scored a game-high 22 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, handed out 5 assists & recorded 3 steals on the defensive end in a 77-67 victory over their long-time rival L.A. Sparks. Essence Carson, (the team's 2nd most athletic player after CP23) contributed 18 points off the bench & Plenette Pierson scored 14 for the Liberty. NY went on a 12-0 run during the final 3:05 of the 2nd quarter to take a 41-33 halftime lead, spearheaded by the play of Pondexter on both ends of the floor. Super-talented All-Star Candace Parker led the Sparks with 16 points & 11 boards, but left the game midway through the 3rd quarter with a potentially serious right knee injury & did not return. Parker suffered the injury as she dribbling up the court & simultaneously banged knees with either her own teammate or a Liberty player. She was lying on the floor in agonizing pain for a few minutes & was able to get up on her feet to a nice ovation from the crowd, but was hobbling going into the locker room. L.A. was never able to fully recover & for most of the game were careless with the basketball, turning it over 20 times. With the win, the Liberty pulled even at the .500 mark at 4-4, while the Sparks fell to 4-3.

*Monday, 6/27/2K11: NY Liberty All-Star G Cappie Pondexter was named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, 6/20 through Sunday, June 26.

*Other Notes: NY Liberty legend & current Louisiana Tech womens basketball head coach Teresa Weatherspoon & current player for the Chicago Sky Tamera Young (her team had the off-day) were in the building taking in the game. Also at The Rock were the newest members of the NY Knicks, draft picks Iman Shumpert & Josh Harrelson. I got the opportunity to briefly chat with them & ask a few questions. Shumpert was celebrating his birthday as well as supporting his friend & fellow Georgia Tech alum, NY Liberty rookie Alex Montgomery. 7,625 fans were in attendance. (Liberty & Sparks fans) NBA perennial All-Star Kobe Bryant's dad Joe 'Jellybean' Bryant is in his 1st season on the Sparks' bench as an assistant to head coach Jennifer Gillom.