Connecticut 89, New York 84

UNCASVILLE, Conn., May 30 (AP) -- Tamika Whitmore scored 18 points and led four Connecticut players in double figures Friday night as the Sun held off the New York Liberty, 89-84.

The Sun (4-1) led 82-70 with 5 minutes remaining before a New York rally pulled the Liberty to 88-84 in the final minute.

Connecticut made several defensive stops and Whitmore iced the game with a free throw with 2.5 seconds left.

Asjha Jones scored 16 points for Connecticut and Lindsay Whalen had 15 points and seven assists. Whalen made a 15-foot jumper with 1:26 left to give the Sun an 88-80 lead.

Jamie Carey added 11 points for Connecticut.

Essence Carson had 15 points off the bench to lead the Liberty (1-3). Shameka Christon and Cathrine Kraayeveld had 12 points apiece, while Erlana Larkins had 11 and Janel McCarville 10.

The Liberty trailed 42-34 at halftime and got as close as two in the third period. However, Carey made a 3-pointer, Whalen scored four points and rookie Sandrine Gruda scored at the third-period horn to give Connecticut a 69-61 lead.

The Sun's reserves accounted for 20 of the team's 42 points in the first half.

Connecticut led by as many as 17 points in the first half until New York rallied late to get as close as seven on Christon's 3.

Seven players scored for the Sun in the first period as they took a double-digit lead. Carey came off the bench to hit a pair of 3s and Gruda scored at the buzzer to give Connecticut a 27-15 lead.