The New York Liberty ran their winning streak to five and halted conference leader Connecticut's winning streak in a 64-58 win at Mohegan Sun Arena. Connecticut was ice-cold in the opening minutes, but the New York's post-deficient lineup had no problem scorching the league's best 3-point defense. The Liberty connected on 4 of 5 long range shots at the outset and hauled in 12 for the game. Connecticut head coach Mike Thibault blames himself for the the open looks - and the loss. Sun beat reporter Mike DiMauro of The Day writes that Thibault was guilty of thinking ahead.
"This one's on me,” Thibault said. "I could have played a different lineup to start the game, but I chose not to. I think it was better to try it now than in the playoffs and have this happen. This gave us answers to things we need to see and when we get to the playoffs. If we played them in the playoffs, the strategy would probably be a little different. We tried some things that I needed to find out."
Liberty head coach Patty Coyle had no time for the 'Thibault Bullpen Theory'. "After losing Ann (Wauters) we're fighting for our lives," Coyle said. "Hold anything back? No, not at all. This is who we are."
Some of Steve's thoughts. "The Sun came back in the second half but the Lib traded them a layup for a three. Lindsay Whalen was unstoppable in the second half-- if she made all of her crazy twisting driving layups and short-range jumpers rather than just most of them," he said, "the Sun would have won. Keesh's long-range shots weren't falling and she didn't drive the lane. Katie Douglas and Ashja Jones showed up, but Margo is useless against New York because with Wauters out they don't take many close-range shots. New York put out five perimeter shooters who passed well to one another and the Sun didn't play effective man-to-man. Kraayeveld was as good as the box score shows."
"The Lib put in a true team effort," Steve continued. "The Sun's first half comeback started with Patty's scrubs on the floor. The Sun cut it to two points late but ran out of time. One of the best games I've seen, in many ways. I knew CT could go all the way to the finals, but now I think New York could, too - as long as the threes keep falling."
"This one's on me,” Thibault said. "I could have played a different lineup to start the game, but I chose not to. I think it was better to try it now than in the playoffs and have this happen. This gave us answers to things we need to see and when we get to the playoffs. If we played them in the playoffs, the strategy would probably be a little different. We tried some things that I needed to find out."
Liberty head coach Patty Coyle had no time for the 'Thibault Bullpen Theory'. "After losing Ann (Wauters) we're fighting for our lives," Coyle said. "Hold anything back? No, not at all. This is who we are."
Some of Steve's thoughts. "The Sun came back in the second half but the Lib traded them a layup for a three. Lindsay Whalen was unstoppable in the second half-- if she made all of her crazy twisting driving layups and short-range jumpers rather than just most of them," he said, "the Sun would have won. Keesh's long-range shots weren't falling and she didn't drive the lane. Katie Douglas and Ashja Jones showed up, but Margo is useless against New York because with Wauters out they don't take many close-range shots. New York put out five perimeter shooters who passed well to one another and the Sun didn't play effective man-to-man. Kraayeveld was as good as the box score shows."
"The Lib put in a true team effort," Steve continued. "The Sun's first half comeback started with Patty's scrubs on the floor. The Sun cut it to two points late but ran out of time. One of the best games I've seen, in many ways. I knew CT could go all the way to the finals, but now I think New York could, too - as long as the threes keep falling."
posted by Jo at 6:42 AM
