Well, no, it wasn't pretty -- but when you're finishing up an emotional roller coaster of a season, the playoffs are just within your grasp, and it's your fifth game in eight days, you can understand rubbery legs and shots that dribble devilishly off the rim.

Liberty fans resisted the urge to run a case of Red Bull down to the bench, and their team did a serious fourth-quarter gut check to pull out a 58-52 victory over the under-manned, and yet still feisty, Chicago Sky. The victory means the Lib, the second youngest team in the league, are back in the playoffs.

“Y’all can be honest: Who thought we were going to be sitting here?” said Liberty coach Pat Coyle, suddenly revealing her southern (?!?!) roots as she noticed a real, live, in the flesh New York Times reporter in the post-game conference room.

Well, the Lib almost weren't there. Despite Candice Dupree being saddled with foul-trouble, the Sky rode Dominique Canty to a seven-point advantage at the end of the third. It took a revitalized Janel McCarville (10 of her 14pts were in the fourth) and timely shooting, defense and rebounding by Shameka Christon (15pts, 6 rebounds) to overcome the deficit and send the 9,500 Madison Square Garden fans home happy. Their door prize? Detroit in the first round.

While New York's appearance in the playoffs in a "rebuilding year" has surprised many, we would be remiss to send the Sky home without acknowledging the enormous leap forward the franchise has made in just its second season.

First: Chas Melvin, it was good to see you on the bench, smiling and with both eyes intact. Second, Chicago's got some fine young talent, and it's clear Bo Knows Coaching. What a great combo for the future.

Welcome to the Eastern Conference -- you sure made this season a lively one. Now let the playoffs begin!