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The New York Liberty saved their best for the last quarter in beating the Atlanta Dream

The New York Liberty defeated the Atlanta Dream 76-67 on Sunday with the help of an impressive fourth quarter performance.

New York Knicks Assistant to the President Allan Houston posing on the court with two fans after Sunday's win.
New York Knicks Assistant to the President Allan Houston posing on the court with two fans after Sunday's win.
Photo by Ray Floriani.

NEWARK, NJ - This one was decided in regulation. Still, the New York Liberty came from behind to post a victory over the Atlanta Dream on Sunday.

Possessions, efficiency and key factors from the Prudential Center

Possessions:

Atlanta 82

NY Liberty 84

Offensive Efficiency:

Atlanta 82

NY Liberty 91

Quite different from the Liberty's 75-56 defeat at the hands of the Dream two nights earlier in Atlanta. In that contest the Dream enjoyed a 94-74 advantage in offensive efficiency.

The Four Factors:

eFG

FT Rate

OREB PCT

TO Rate

Atlanta

39

29

31

22

NY Liberty

45

17

33

18

Once again solid defense by the Liberty. Holding the Dream to an 83 efficiency largely due to limiting their shooting (39% eFG) from the floor. New York also showed improvement in two areas of weakness. They won the battle on the offensive boards with an edge in OREB percentage. Of added note and a source of satisfaction to coach Bill Laimbeer and his club, the turnover rate dipped below 20% with a much improved 18% mark.

The efficiency numbers of note (using the NBA model):

Points

Efficiency

S. Lyttle, Atlanta

18

23

C. Pondexter, NY

17

16

P. Pierson, NY

17

14

The numbers for the scoring leaders. Lyttle shot 7 of 18 but was aided by a game high 11 rebounds. Pondexter and Pierson tied for Liberty scoring accolades. Pondexter also shot 7 of 18 while adding 6 rebounds, handing out 6 assists and committing just two turnovers. Pierson was 7 of 14 from the field with 5 boards.

Stat of note: On the game Leilani Mitchell led New York in rebounding with seven and offensive boards with four. Mitchell is a guard and 5-5 in height. Another example of how technique and desire factor heavily into rebounding success.

The best for last

The Liberty entered the final quarter trailing 55-51. At that point the Dream owned an 86-81 'lead' in offensive efficiency. Those final ten minutes proved decisive.

The Fourth Quarter:

Points

Possessions

Off. Eff.

Atlanta

12

18

67

New York

25

21

119

Fueled by Pondexter's 10 points, the Liberty dominated those final ten minutes to put the game away. Atlanta scored only three field goals with the third in the final minute and the game's outcome just ready to enter the books. To little surprise, the efficiencies tell the tale of the Liberty dominance that final quarter.

Final Numbers:

The Liberty improved to 3-2 while Atlanta suffered their first loss and stand at 4-1.

Attendance: 5,933