Sun's balance holds off Liberty

UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- Kelsey Griffin had 12 points and nine rebounds yesterday as Connecticut beat the Liberty, 76-72, to sweep a home-and-home set and earn its fourth straight win.

Cappie Pondexter had 21 points and five assists for the Liberty (3-8) and former Sun center Tina Charles added 15 points and five assists.

"We are very frustrated, but it's earned frustration," Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer said. "We don't do the little things. We know we are not the most talented basketball team, and we also know that we if don't have all our players playing well, we are going to struggle. We also know that if we get everyone playing well, we are going to be very competitive, so it's a fine line, and right now we are on the bottom half of the line."

Even without top pick Chiney Ogwumike, who was back at Stanford for graduation, the Sun (6-6) had too much for the Liberty. All five Sun starters scored in double figures.

Connecticut trailed 27-19 late in the first half, but Danielle McCray then scored all eight of her points to help the Sun take a 38-37 halftime lead. -- AP