The box says 11,000-plus at the Garden yesterday, and by the end of the game every single one of them was whipped into a frenzy. Why? Ask Kristie Ackert of the Daily News (thank you for your coverage!):

The Liberty already had retained possession twice on out-of-bounds plays in the final 21 seconds, so when it happened a third time, Erin Thorn knew she had to take care of the ball. With 3.3 seconds left, the Liberty guard took the inbounds pass from under the basket, backed down Detroit's Plenette Pierson and then faded back as she let loose a desperation shot. The ball hit softly off the side of the rim, bounced off the backboard and then dropped through the hoop as the buzzer sounded.

Thorn's heroics sealed the 85-84 win over the Shock (thank you New York Post (!) for your coverage), but it was a team effort, with six players scoring in double figures (thanks Newsday!).

It had been a great game to watch (thanks, Vin @ AP!): chippy (4 techs), physical (Feenstra/Braxton) vs. quick (Jackson/McCarville) in the paint, another chance to watch Deanna Nolan work her magic, and a furious 7-0 run by the Lib to end the game.

New York's victory coupled with D.C.'s loss suddenly makes the race for that final playoff spot in the East verrrrrry interesting.