Notes & Quotes: Lynx Beat Liberty, 85-82

Wed, Jul 25, 2018, 4:27 AM
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Official Release

New York Liberty Notes: 

New York fell to Minnesota, 85-82, and has now faced four setbacks in its last six. The three-point differential is the smallest margin of defeat since New York was bested by Washington, 80-77, on June 28.

Tina Charles notched her sixth double-double of the season comprised of 32 points and 15 rebounds. Her 32point performance was two shy of her season-high. Charles registered 34 points against Dallas on May 29.

Amanda Zahui B’s 15 points tonight marked the eighth time she scored double-figures this season.

Bria Hartley’s 12 points were accompanied by four assists and four rebounds. She has scored in double-figures eight times this year. Tina Charles finished the first quarter with a game-high 15 points on 71.5-percent shooting (5-of-7) and 50percent from distance (1-of-2).

The Liberty outrebounded the Lynx after the first 10 minutes,16-6, including a 10-2 clip on the defensive boards. New York concluded the night owning Minnesota on the boards, 40-37.

Kiah Stokes served up one rejection tonight dubbing the center the new all-time franchise leader in blocks with 156.

New York’s 50 points at halftime were the most netted by the break since the club tallied 53 after 20 minutes against Chicago on July 15. The Liberty have scored 50 or more points following the first half of play four times this season.

Brittany Boyd ended with nine dimes, her sixth game this season with at least eight.

The tandem of Brittany Boyd at the one and Sugar Rodgers at the two combined four eight of the team’s 15 assists at the break. Bria Hartley has 3 by the intermission.

After trailing by four at the half, the Lynx erupted for a 11-0 run to start the third quarter. Amanda Zahui B’s bank shot in the paint severed the skid by Minnesota around the midway mark of the quarter.

The Liberty’s 23 assists were the most since July 15 when the team credited 27 against Chicago.

New York’s six fast-break points match its output last game (Washington 7/21) after the team managed to tally 14 or more points in the open court in three consecutive games spanning from July 15-19.

New York Liberty Quotes:

Head Coach Katie Smith’s thoughts on the game… “Solid. I thought for us was from start to finish I thought we were locked in. I thought for not running a ton of zone, I thought our zone looked good. I thought we executed well. I thought we just really played hard and also executed the game plan, we just came up a little short.”

Smith on coming up short after a close game… “It’s tough because we had opportunities. Don’t foul, we had a wide-open person in the corner, don’t make the open pass. Maybe it goes down, maybe it doesn’t, maybe we go up on one, maybe we don’t but to get to overtime would’ve been nice. They got a couple O-boards which has been a little bit of our Achilles heel all year, so those hurt us in this game, especially in the second half. But yeah, when you make a couple mistakes that somewhat seal the deal for them, it definitely hurts a little worse than somebody just going and making a play. Again, lots of things to learn from and I’m proud of the consistency of our effort for the 40 minutes. It’s something we haven’t done all year and I thought tonight was one of those games where everybody was locked in and I’m just proud of their effort and sorry we didn’t get that thing done for them.”

Amanda Zahui B on thoughts after tying up the game… “We were just trying to win the ball game. I mean we’re all threats out there, that’s what Katie just said right before that, we’ve all got to be aggressive and we’re out there for a reason.”

Zahui B on the team’s offense… “I think I’m vibing well. All the shots aren’t going in but that’s how it is for everyone. I’ve just got to be aggressive whenever I get the opportunity to see the floor. Mostly focus on defense. I think that’s the part that’s keeping me off the floor so when I focus on that my offense comes way easier.”

Tina Charles on tonight’s game… “I thought we played hard. I thought this was the best showcase that the New York Liberty has shown this entire season. We had effort and energy the entire four quarters and that’s something that we haven’t been able to put together throughout the season. The reason why you’ll see spurts and quarters of us being great and times when it’s like who is this team. I think tonight we showed who we can be if we just keep playing that way that we did for all four quarters.”

Charles on stepping up tonight… “Regardless of what the outcome is at the end of the season, I still have to represent myself and who Tina Charles is. I still have to show who I am regardless of what the record is. I still have to make sure I’m a threat and just show everyone in the WNBA, in respect to my team, in respect to my peers in the WNBA that I’m still playing hard. I still have to play hard and play my game.”