clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Stars unable to handle Liberty's firepower

The New York Liberty defeated the San Antonio Stars for the first time since 2011, 84-68. Carolyn Swords recorded her first start in over 2 years, Essence Carson came off the bench to provide 16 points. Overall, the Liberty's firepower was too much for the Stars to overcome.

MSG Photo Services

The New York Liberty played in front of 18,617 fans inside the Madison Square Garden for Camp Day, and did not disappoint as they put on a remarkable performance for their home crowd.

It was Epiphanny Prince's home debut for the Liberty since being activated, and she started for the Liberty. With her presence, Sugar Rodgers came off the bench, making it even more dangerous for the team as they will have fresher legs and more depth.

New York also started Carolyn Swords -- her first in over two years -- mainly to lure bigs out of the paint. And it was Tina Charles who made impact after attacking the interior from the get-go. She scored 9 of her 14-point total in the first quarter, on a slew of back-to-basket moves.

The Liberty led 23-15 after the opener, before it was Prince and Essence Carson who added to the barrage in the second quarter. The Liberty were barely threatened after that point as they improved to 8-5, just half a game behind the Eastern Conference-leading Chicago Sky.

The San Antonio Stars relied mainly on the quickness of Danielle Robinson on the other end. She was unstoppable when with the basketball, and finished with 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists on 8-for-12 shooting.

But in the end, it was the Liberty's balance which propelled them to a big win. No one played more than 26 minutes for Bill Laimbeer, and the team shared the rock better after assisting 22 of 35 field goal makes. Rodgers, Prince, and Tanisha Wright combined for 14 of those dimes.

The Stars in contrast, only had 9 assists and shot only 37 percent from the floor.

Prince has been impressive since her return, averaging 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals per game in 2 stints this year.

With Rodgers, Carson, and even Kiah Stokes coming off the bench for the Liberty, the team's depth only got better and their firepower became even more dangerous for opposing sides.