WNBA

WNBA
Saturday's games
Liberty 85, Sting 80
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Erin Thorn scored a career-high 24 points to lead the New York Liberty over Charlotte. The former Brigham Young player, who entered the game averaging 6.2 points, made two free throws with 10.9 seconds to go to cap the scoring. Shameka Christon added 14 points for the Liberty (6-20), who have won two straight after dropping a franchise-record 11 in a row. Tammy Sutton-Brown led the Sting (8-19) with 19 points. Kelly Mazzante added 13 points for Charlotte. She made a 3-pointer with 1 1/2 minutes to go to cut it to 79-74, but the Liberty held on for the victory. The Liberty moved ahead 50-49 with 5 minutes to go in the third quarter, their first lead since early in the first half.
Mystics 74, Fever 67
INDIANAPOLIS -- Alana Beard scored 21 points and DeLisha Milton-Jones added 19 for Washington. Despite the loss, the Fever clinched a playoff berth with New York's 85-80 win over Charlotte. It's the third playoff berth in Indiana's seven-year history and its second in a row. Tan White scored 18 points for the Fever (16-10) and Tamika Catchings had 17 points, six rebounds, six assists and six steals. Indiana finished 3-2 on its critical five-game homestand. It was a disappointment after the Fever beat defending WNBA champion Sacramento 75-60 on Tuesday. Washington starters Crystal Robinson and Nikki Teasley left the game with injuries in the first quarter, but the Mystics (14-13) still closed the period on a 12-0 run to take a 20-10 lead. Washington continued to shoot well in the second quarter. The Mystics took a 37-22 lead with 40 seconds to go in the first half before Indiana's Anna DeForge made a layup with one second left. Washington forced 11 turnovers in the first half and held the Fever to 38 percent shooting.
Associated Press
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