After starting another season with another lengthy losing streak, the Houston Comets are finally in the win column. Now, they'll next face a team coming off its most impressive performance this season.

The Comets will try to make it two straight wins as they face the New York Liberty on Friday night at Madison Square Garden.

Houston (1-5) lost its first five games in 2008, one year after starting 0-10 en route to a franchise worst-tying 13-21 finish. Though they've witnessed how a poor start can derail a season, the Comets may be encouraged after snapping this season's skid with a 75-72 win over San Antonio on Tuesday.

Forward Tina Thompson led Houston with 16 points and a season-high 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the year. She scored seven points during a 10-2 rally in the fourth quarter that erased a two-point deficit and put the Comets ahead for good.

The 12th-year veteran averaged 25.0 points and 7.5 boards while shooting 47.1 percent from the field in two games against the Liberty in 2007.

Thompson could struggle to continue her success against a New York club that dominated in a 77-63 win over Seattle on Tuesday night. The Liberty (2-3), who led 22-6 after the first quarter, held the Storm to a season-low point total and reigning league MVP Lauren Jackson to 6-for-18 shooting.

"I think this is the first time we put together four pretty good quarters," Liberty coach Pat Coyle said. "That's something we looked at (on) the tape, and something we talked about."

The Liberty forced 22 turnovers that led to 27 points and Shameka Christon matched her career high with 25 points on 9-for-14 shooting.

"We came out with a lot of intensity, playing defense and making them turn the ball over, getting stops on the defensive end and our shots falling on the other end," Christon said.

In her fifth season, Christon is leading New York with a career-best 15.6 points per game, while shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 48.0 percent from 3-point range - both career highs.

The 6-foot-1 forward was held to totals of 16 points and 6-for-15 shooting as the Liberty split two games against the Comets last year.

Houston has won four of five against the Liberty since July 2005.