Liberty beats Mystics to end three-game slide

WASHINGTON -- Plenette Pierson scored 20 points and Swin Cash added 12 as the Liberty snapped a three-game losing streak with a 73-61 victory over the Washington Mystics last night.

Ivory Latta scored 15 points for the Mystics (16-18), who needed a victory in their season finale plus additional help for a chance to get the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and home-court advantage in the opening round.

Washington began the day a half-game ahead of Chicago and Indiana. The Sky lost to the Fever last night, but the Mystics' loss ensured that Washington would drop to third place, a half-game behind Indiana.

The Fever will face the Liberty at Madison Square Garden and Chicago hosts San Antonio in their season finales today.

The Liberty (14-19) will miss the playoffs.

The Liberty did not commit a turnover in the first half and led by 16 at halftime and 60-40 in the third quarter. -- AP