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New York bounced back and in the process, they may have answered some questions about themselves as well. Despite a career-high 35 points from Tina Thompson, New York defeated the Houston Comets 68-62 before 13,357 at the Garden. Becky Hammon scored 16 of her team-high 22 points in the second half. But more telling about the win, was the way New York's frontline was able to control the game. Elena Baronova added 12 points and 14 rebounds as the Liberty outrebounded the Comets 37-30. "We really pushed the ball in transition and ran the ball well today", Liberty head coach Richie Adubato. "As a result, we were able to get some easy baskets by attacking their defense." New York held a 62-60 lead when Vickie Johnson (11 points) nailed a jumper with 2:05 left to open a four-point cushion. Baranova sank a jumper with 1:13 to play and Hammon made a pair of free throw with 26 seconds remaining to make it 68-60 to put the game out of reach. A PRESENCE IN THE PAINT With Baronova and Crystal Robinson (eight points, six rebounds) in foul trouble and center Kari Phillips (five points in 19 minutes) still nursing a bout with tonsilitis, Adubato turned to a pair of rookies who had provided a spark in the season opener. First-round pick Shameka Christon and 5-11 free-agent DeTrina White, who combined for 14 points and 14 rebounds in the loss to Indiana, again gave New York an inside presence that was missing last season. White, an LSU product who played in Israel last season, added four points and seven boards Sunday and along with the 6-1 Christon and 6-2 second-year player Bethany Donaphin gives New York a strong frontline. "I'm still learning a lot, but I've also been getting the chance to contribute a lot as well", said White. "He (Richie) has shown a lot of trust in me and my teammates have been picking me up when I've made some mistakes." Christon, who finished with only two points, has had the unenviable tasks of guarding two of the league's best players in her first two games. The rookie from Arkansas has gone up against All-Stars Tamika Catchings and Thompson in consecutive games. Up next for New York, a visit from the defending champions from Detroit. The Shock took all four meetings vs the Liberty last season and haven't lost to the Liberty since June of 2002. NOTES: Thompson's 35 points also set a WNBA single-game record by scoring 56.5 percent of her team's points.....New York is now 8-0 all-time in home openers......6-4 center Ann Wauters is scheduled to join the team during the first week of June. The league's No. 1 pick overall in 2000 was acquired from Cleveland in the dispersal draft in January.....  Anthony McClean is a Researcher/Reporter/Writer for ESPN and Black Athlete Sports Network. You can also hear his sports commentaries every Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. on "Sport Talk" on WCLM-AM 1450 in Richmond, Virginia (www.wclmradio.com). WANT TO REACH THIS WRITER Copyright 2006 by BlackAthlete.net, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
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