Epiphanny Prince's jumper in final seconds lifts Liberty past Mercury
Phoenix Mercury guard Danielle Robinson (11) and New York Liberty guard Sugar Rodgers (14) fight for a loose ball during the first half of their WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, May 23, 2017 in Phoenix, Ariz. Credit: AP / David Kadlubowski
PHOENIX — Epiphanny Prince hit a go-ahead jumper with 4.5 seconds left and Sugar Rodgers blocked Leilani Mitchell on a drive to the basket just before the buzzer as the Liberty held off the Phoenix Mercury, 69-67, on Tuesday night.
Prince dribbled down the clock and used two high screens to sink the jumper from the wing.
“[We] build up a good play where Tina [Charles] set me a screen,” Prince said, “and Shavonte [Zellous] picked off the other [defender] and I was able to get an open look and was able to hit it.”
Prince was 10-for-14 from the field, including four three-pointers, and scored 24 points. Charles added 22 points and 11 rebounds for New York (2-1), which is ranked fourth in the AP power poll.
Phoenix (2-2) struggled offensively for much of the game without star Diana Taurasi. She was serving a one-game suspension for a level two flagrant foul in Friday’s game against San Antonio.
The Liberty led by 15 points with 2:47 left in the third quarter but Phoenix went on a 12-0 run and led 67-62 with 2:51 left. Prince hit a three-pointer and Kia Vaughn a hook shot to tie it with 1:42 left to set up the finish.
Brittney Griner led Phoenix with 19 points and six blocks.
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