Liberty Hangs On to Tie East Series

NEW YORK —  The New York Liberty’s 19-0 first-half run at Madison Square Garden set the tone for a 51-45 victory Sunday that forced a third game in its best-of-three Eastern Conference finals against the Cleveland Rockers.

But a strong second half gave the Rockers hope for tonight’s deciding game at the Garden, where the Liberty is riding a streak of 12 consecutive victories.

“I feel confident about [tonight] because there’s no question the fans help us with our emotion and determination, but I’m concerned with the way we let down in the second half,” Liberty Coach Richie Adubato said.

Tamika Whitmore had the first two baskets and the last two during New York’s 10-minute run that turned a 7-5 deficit into a 24-7 lead.

“They outrebounded us by 10 in the second half and had eight offensive rebounds, so we weren’t able to run, and consequently we only scored 15 points in the second half,” Adubato added.

Becky Hammon led the Liberty with 13 points, Tari Phillips scored 12 and Whitmore 10. Merlakia Jones led Cleveland with 18 points, and Chasity Melvin had 10. Jones led the Rockers’ second-half turnaround, scoring 14 points on six-for-11 shooting after missing three of four in the first half.

“We needed a more assertive attitude,” Rocker Coach Dan Hughes said of the first half. “We were a little anxious.”