The New York Liberty appear to have bounced back from a slow start this season thanks to improved play at Madison Square Garden and a surprising effort by a rookie.

The Liberty close out their three-game homestand on Sunday when they face the struggling Sacramento Monarchs, who will try again for their first road win of the season.

After losing three of its first four games, New York (3-3) evened its record with an 81-73 victory over Houston on Friday. Leilani Mitchell, making her first start in place of Loree Moore (back spasms), finished with 18 points. She was 6-of-6 from the field - including three of New York's 12 3-pointers - and also dished out seven assists.

Mitchell, a rookie guard from Utah, had scored only three points in the previous two games and was averaging 5.0 points heading into Friday's contest.

"I'm just glad I was able to contribute and knock down shots because they definitely left me open," Mitchell said.

Shameka Christon scored 19 points and Catherine Kraayeveld added 12 and six rebounds for the Liberty, who shot a season-best 51.9 percent from the field.

The Liberty are looking for their fourth straight win at MSG. They're scoring 79.0 points during their run, and winning by an average of 13.7 points.

Sacramento is 0-3 on the road this year, but has won two of its last three in New York.

The Monrachs (2-4) come in having lost four of their last five including a 84-70 defeat to Detroit on Friday. Sacramento shot 63 percent in the first half en route to a 48-44 lead at the break, but couldn't maintain that momentum.

"I just think we weren't really in a scoring rhythm and they were getting second chances," the Monarchs' Laura Harper said.

Nicole Powell led Sacramento with 17 points and Crystal Kelly added 10. The Monarchs were without Tina Penicheiro (shoulder) and fellow starter Adrian Williams-Strong played just 11 minutes off the bench. Their statuses for this game are not known.

Sacramento has the league's second-weakest offense, averaging 69.8 points.

After this contest, the Monarchs will wrap up their three-game road swing at Washington and against surprise Western Conference-leading Minnesota.

New York and and Sacramento split its two meetings last year.