Liberty again has issues on offense, fall to Sun in Connecticut

Connecticut held New York scoreless for nearly the first five minutes of the second half, and the Liberty finished the quarter with just seven points as the Liberty offense once again faltered and lost, 70-63, Wednesday at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.

It was the fourth straight game Connecticut has held an opponent under 70 points —and its fourth straight win. But it was also the third game in the last five where New York has scored less than 70 points. The 63 points scored Wednesday was the second lowest total of the season, besting only the 58-point performance July 7 vs. the Las Vegas Aces. The Liberty are now 8-11.

Joe Tsai’s team scored only 24 points in the second half, shooting 2-of-15 in the third. Overall, they shot 33.3 percent for the game, including 30.4 percent from beyond the arc. Only Tina Charles, the Liberty’s All-Star power forward (13 points ... and 11 boards) and point guard Bria Hartley (12 points) topped double figures. Charles was hot early, with nine points before halftime but didn’t score her first points of the second half until 5:11 remaining in the fourth.

Marine Johannes, who went 6-for-6 in her home debut on Saturday, took only two shots, making one, while Kia Nurse, who’ll participate in the WNBA All-Star 3-point contest Friday night, missed all eight of her shots, including four from deep.

Despite their shooting woes, the Liberty held a three point lead at the half, 39-36. But the Sun tightened its defense and the third quarter turned things around.

Jasmine Thomas had 18 points and seven assists, Courtney Williams added 13 points and eight rebounds for the Suns. Connecticut (13-6), which is tied with the Las Vegas Aces for the best record in the WNBA at the All-Star break. The WNBA All-Star game airs at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday on ABC.

The Liberty won’t play again until Thursday, August 1, when they’ll hit the road to face the Dallas Wings (8 p.m. ET, NBA TV).

• Box Score: Connecticut Sun 70, New York Liberty 63 - WNBA.com
• Highlights: Connecticut Sun 70, New York Liberty 63 (Video) - WNBA.com
• Sun beat Liberty 70-63 for 4th straight win - AP
• Recap: Sun defeat Liberty 70-63, regain share of first place heading into All-Star break - Christine M. Hopkins - Swish Appeal