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Sunday, September 26, 2004 at Madison Square Garden
Detroit Shock 76, New York Liberty 66

Recap | Box Score
September 26th, 2004
Madison Square Garden
Shock 76, Liberty 66
Points:(DET) C. Ford, 21
(NYL) L. Frett, 20
Rebounds:(DET) 2 tied, 9
(NYL) E. Baranova, 7
Assists:(DET) E. Powell, 9
(NYL) E. Baranova, 6
Blocks:(DET) C> Ford, 2
(NYL) E. Baranova, 2
Steals:(DET) E. Powell, 6
(NYL) C. Robinson, 2
Turnovers:(DET) D. Nolan, 6
(NYL) B. Hammon, 6
Biggest
Lead:
(DET) 17
(NYL) 1
Fastbreak
Points:
(DET) 11
(NYL) 2
POSTGAME QUOTES
DETROITSHOCK.COM
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Cheryl Ford
  • Points: 20
  • Rebounds: 9
  • Blocks: 2
  • Minutes: 37
  • Ford's Season Statistics
    Shock Head Coach Bill Laimbeer

    On the game:
    "I am very proud of our team. We came with a purpose. Out of the blue, as I was coming to the arena, it just came to me to try something different. I went with a big strong lineup and went to a zone to test their three-point shooting. We got a lot of rebounds when we needed to and we were patient on offense."

    On getting to the free-throw line:
    "Last year we made more free-throws than any other team shot. We are a big, strong, athletic, quick team that attacks the basket at all times. Our strength is part of who we are so going to the line 30 times is normal."

    On the front court:
    "(Barbara) Farris is one of the strongest players in the league. You hit her and it hurts. Our players avoid her in practice. Cheryl (Ford) is as strong as an ox and Ruth (Riley) is 6'5" with bulk. We are big and strong across that front line and that was the key to the game."

    Shock Forward Cheryl Ford

    On tying the series:
    "We actually felt good after the game on Friday. We didn't go long yesterday in practice. We just went over what we had to do to win the game and we executed it."

    On the front court:
    "We have a great front court with Barbara (Farris), Ruth (Riley) and myself. They (New York) couldn't handle us. Don't get me wrong, New York is a great team, but they just couldn't handle it."

    Liberty Head Coach Pat Coyle

    On Detroit's starting lineup:
    "(Bill) Laimbeer made an adjustment. It worked out for him. Regardless of what they do, we need to execute. We will make adjustments. I take full responsibility for how we attacked the zone."

    On the game:
    "I thought they had us so spread out. Instead of getting into the gaps and penetrating, we stepped further away from the basket. That is to their strength. We never went in and out. We just went around the perimeter."

    On the second half:
    "We got ourselves back in the game by being aggressive. Coming out of halftime being down just one, instead of us attacking them they attacked us."

    Liberty Forward La'Keshia Frett

    On the game:
    "My coaches and teammates encouraged me to step up and take shots. Detroit is a big team. I think we could have done a better job of executing. They are tall and have big bodies. Their toughness and physical play is not surprising."

    On the first half:
    "Sometimes it is your night and sometimes it is not. We have a lot of people on this team that are capable of shooting the ball. I was just out there playing and looking to win. I just want to help the team."