Liberty in 2 car accidents before loss

NEWARK -- Two straight home games, two straight losses. It's not exactly the way the Liberty wanted to begin its three-year stretch in Newark.

But the Liberty's 79-58 loss to the Atlanta Dream at Prudential Center Tuesday night turned out to be more than just about the game.

Liberty rookie reserves Alex Montgomery and Jessica Breland were involved in a minor car accident on the way to Prudential Center. Breland was driving and Montgomery the passenger.

In a separate and unrelated incident, Liberty assistant coaches Monique Ambers and Lady Grooms were also in a car accident. No one was injured, but the thought of four members of the organization getting in car accidents on game day was scary.

"When you get into a car accident, you just want to go home and just chill," Montgomery said. "Your nerves are just jumping. We just tried to make the best out of everything."

Montgomery and Breland, who were traveling with two friends, were hoping to get to the arena early. The accident occurred around 4:30 on Route 21.

"We were going to get here and grab something to eat, because we're supposed to be here at 5:15. We had plenty of time," Montgomery said. The two didn't arrive at the arena until 6 p.m.

Training at the team's facility in Greenburgh and playing games in Newark has created some logistical problems for the Liberty, whose players travel to the game on their own in rental cars.

Liberty coach John Whisenant said the transportation issue was discussed when he took the job and hinted that changes could be made. "We might be forced to make that not an option," Whisenant said when asked if the players will continue to come to the games on their own.

As for the game, it was a bad night on both sides of the ball for the Liberty (2-2). Essence Carson led all scorers with 21 points, but the Liberty shot just 36 percent from the field, compared with 47 percent for the Dream (1-3).

Angel McCoughtry led Atlanta with 18 points.