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Another career night for a player, but another loss for the Liberty

By Net Income
Minnesota Lynx v New York Liberty Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images

Australian Rebecca Allen finished with a career-high 28 points for Liberty (8-16) Tuesday, the latest New Yorker to have a big night recently, but Liberty lost its six straight and nine of its last 10, a reminder of last season’s late collapse.

Final score at Westchester County Center: Minnesota Lynx 89, New York Liberty 73.

Allen was 11-of-15 from the field, including 6 of 7 from 3-point range. The fifth-year player set her previous high of 21 points last Wednesday. In recent weeks, Marine Johannes and Amanda Zuhai B have had career nights with the Liberty. Zuhai B’s 37 points and seven rebounds back on June 15 in a win, while Johannes, a rookie, hit all her shots on the way to a 17-point outing, also in a win on July 20

Joe Tsai’s team attracted 1,570 fans to the game at Westchester County Center, two days after the Liberty drew 7,715 to its lone game at Barclays Center. There were rumors Tuesday night that Tsia is about to buy Barclays Center ... and presumably move the team to Brooklyn next season. The Liberty were able to draw league-leading crowds of more than 10,000 before then-owner James Dolan moved the team from the Madison Square Garden to Westchester two years ago.

Turnovers remained a problem for the Liberty, tossing away 17. And as they have in the last several games, the Liberty kept it close for a while before collapsing. Minnesota led 40-29 before New York closed the first half on an 11-2 run with seven straight points from Rebecca Allen. She scored a franchise-best 20 points in the quarter - just two points shy of the WNBA record.

Minnesota jumped ahead in the third quarter, scoring 20 of the first 31 points, and cruised. Odyssey Sims had 17 points, Stephanie Talbot added 16 points. The Liberty’s Tanisha Wright had six assists for New York to move into a tie with Temeka Johnson for 10th all-time in the WNBA. Tina Charles was held to seven points on 2-of-9 shooting, while rookie guard Asia Durr and Zahui B. did not play because of injury.

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