Liberty extends record win streak to 10

It's easy to lose focus, especially when you're facing the worst team in the league. Liberty guard Cappie Pondexter felt that way last night.

Her team's effort seemed to be there only in the second half, but that was enough. The Liberty came away with a hard-fought 95-85 win over the Tulsa Shock at the Garden, extending its franchise-best winning streak to 10 games.

The Liberty tied the Indiana Fever for first place in the Eastern Conference at 21-11 with two games left, and has a chance to clinch homecourt advantage for the Eastern Conference playoffs.

"I think we came out a little off focus defensively and let them get their confidence," Pondexter said. "But the good thing is we won. I'd take that over a loss."

"I was a bit disappointed," Liberty coach Anne Donovan said. "I thought that we would come out really focused and keep our energy, but the reality is that we just didn't come out aggressive."

Liberty forward Nicole Powell had 20 points but left the game with 8:40 remaining in the third quarter after getting hit in the face. She didn't return. Pondexter had 16 points, Taj McWilliams-Franklin added 15 and Lelani Mitchell had 14.

Shanna Crossley led the Shock with 21 points and Scholanda Robinson finished with 16. Forward Tiffany Jackson, who was traded to the Shock in June for Plenette Pierson, made a successful return to MSG with 11 points and four rebounds.

It was the sixth straight loss for Tulsa (5-28).

The game turned quickly in the third quarter. With the Liberty trailing 52-47 with 7:23 left in the quarter, reserve forward Sidney Spencer scored consecutive baskets and Janel McCarville added a three-point play. That sparked a 26-9 run that gave the Liberty a 73-61 lead at the end of the quarter.

The Shock got as close as 84-80 with 2:48 left on a floater in the lane by Ivory Latta, but Essence Carson capped a 6-0 run with a driving layup to give the Liberty a 90-80 lead with 1:02 left.

The Shock made the Liberty work for every opportunity early, shooting 52 percent in the first half for a 46-43 lead.