NEWARK, NJ - The Minnesota Lynx defeated the New York Liberty handily by an 80-62 score on Tuesday. The numbers, as expected, were not pretty and basically bear out coach John Whisenant's assessment that, "we have a lot of work to do."
Possessions
As noted yesterday...
Minnesota 74
NY Liberty 78
Offensive Efficiency:
Minnesota 108
NY Liberty 80
Numbers basically tell us the Liberty suffered on both ends. Inefficient offense coupled with a much too generous defense.
The Four Factors:
| eFG | FT Rate | OREB PCT | TO Rate | |
| Minnesota Lynx | 52 | 21 | 36 | 18 |
| NY Liberty | 39 | 10 | 33 | 17 |
Minnesota's high eFG and free throw rate advantage was largely due to the ability to get in the paint. Penetrations were the key as the Lynx enjoyed a 38-24 points in the paint advantage.
Interestingly, Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve was concerned over giving the Liberty 14 offensive boards. The Lynx had 9 but did have a greater rebounding percentage on the offensive glass and had a 17-10 margin in second chance points. Still, Reeve did not like the -5 offensive board deficit glaring on the stat sheet.
The efficiency.
Using the NBA/WNBA efficiency model for individual players, those logging 10 or more minutes were figured in the calculations. In the formula, positives as points, made shots, assists, steals, rebounds and blocks are added while missed shots and turnovers are subtracted.
|
Minnesota |
Efficiency |
NY Liberty |
Efficiency |
|
Augustus |
25 |
Carson |
11 |
|
McWilliams-Franklin |
22 |
Vaughn |
9 |
|
Brunson |
20 |
Mitchell |
7 |
|
Moore |
18 |
Pierson |
7 |
|
Adair |
7 |
Powell |
5 |
|
Wright |
3 |
Pondexter |
0 |
|
Whalen |
-1 |
Braxton |
-2 |
|
Wiggins |
-2 |
|
|
Cappie Pondexter paced the Liberty with 15 points, entered the game with a 14.5 average efficiency, but ‘pitched' a shutout. Despite only two turnovers, the 6 of 23 shooting night was a major culprit in the efficiency total.
Seimone Augusts paced all in efficiency. Strong points were 9 of 14 shooting, 6 rebounds and only two turnovers.
Jessica Adair turned in a nice performance in her dozen minutes for the Lynx. The 6-4 center shot 2 of 4 with 5 rebounds.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin was a ‘stat stuffer'. The Lynx forward/center scored 10 points but shut 4 of 5 from the floor while contributing a team high 10 rebounds.
Line of the night courtesy of women's basketball guru Mel Greenberg: "Cory Booker (Newark mayor) got nervous when he heard the president was coming to Newark. Then they told him it was the WNBA president (Laurel Richie) not Obama."
Nicole Powell on preparation noted that game day was as usual, a shoot around and another pre-game scouting report/game plan. The day after this contest especially? "Not sure what coach has planned," Powell said. "But one thing is certain, we will have a lot of work especially on individual drills."
Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve has MAAC roots having starred for LaSalle (then a conference member) in the late 80s. Besides commenting on how the college players of today are faster, stronger and more skilled than those of a few decades back, Reeve noted how players start, and have to, at an earlier age today.
‘A lot of girls are getting started by age seven these days," Reeve noted. "Back when I played I really didn't get into basketball until around age eleven." These days, it is almost unheard of to begin that late and later wind up a Division I player."
Game attendance was 5,411.
For far more on this game, see the following:
Lynx in command, defeat Liberty at The Rock
Lynx Prey On Liberty
Photos: New York Liberty Fall To Minnesota Lynx In Prudential Center Opener