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For the first time since July 15, 2018, the New York Liberty added a game to the win column, defeating the visiting Las Vegas Aces on Sunday afternoon 88-78.
The Liberty picked up where they left off after their near-upset of the Mystics on Friday, replicating a balanced scoring effort and ramping up the defense against one of the league’s best offenses.
With Asia Durr a late scratch due to illness, New York’s other players needed to step up in her absence — and they did.
@tinacharles31 paced the @nyliberty 21 PTS and 8 REB in today's win. #WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/IOMAY4jBUn
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 9, 2019
Tina Charles led the way for the Liberty with 21 points and 8 rebounds, but as in Friday’s game, she had some help from several other scorers. Bria Hartley added 17 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists; Kia Nurse had 15 points; and Amanda Zahui B. contributed 9 points and a team-high 9 rebounds. Reshanda Gray also had 8 rebounds off the bench.
The Liberty kept their turnovers to single digits for the first time all season and blocked eight Aces shots, tying a season-high.
For the Aces, who still appear to be navigating the Liz Cambage-A’ja Wilson power duo down low, playing their entire roster wasn’t enough — even against a shorthanded Liberty team.
Kayla McBride led all scorers with a season-high 25 points, Cambage added 17 points and a game-high 10 rebounds and Jackie Young put up career-highs in points (11) and rebounds (8).
Coach @katiesmith30 on today's victory: "Total team effort." pic.twitter.com/9Udc6ybC1s
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) June 9, 2019
In addition to this being the Liberty’s first win in their past 18 games, this was also their first-ever win against the Aces since the team relocated to Las Vegas.
Up next: New York stays home to face the Lynx on Wednesday, June 12 (7 p.m. ET, WNBA League Pass). The Aces don’t play again until they host the Liberty on Friday, June 14 (10:30 p.m. ET, WNBA League Pass).