Strong Second Half For Stewart

Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

By Shara Talia Taylor

Reese Double Double Machine

Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

The New York Liberty now 2-1 against the Chicago Sky bounced back after halftime to win 91-76 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn last Thursday night.

It was a sold-out crowd that turned out to see the Liberty face the Sky with forward Angel Reese, who had 10 points and 10 total rebounds for her 15th consecutive double-double, extending her WNBA single-season record. Sabrina Ionescu led New York with 21 points, six total rebounds and four assists and Jonquel Jones added 18 points, 13 rebounds and three assists for a double-double as the team overcame their slow start with defense and speed.

“We all remembered that they were the ones that beat us at home and wanted to make sure that didn’t happen again,” said Breanna Stewart who added 19 points, four rebounds and six assists.

Following the last home game against the Sky, when they lost, Liberty forward Kayla Thornton felt New York needed to box-out against the post players. “I think we did a better job at executing that,” Thornton said about Thursday’s game. “Big shout out to our Bigs JJ (Jonquel Jones) and Stewie (Breanna Stewart).”

Coach Sandy Brondello stressed the importance of guarding Reese and Sky Center Kamilla Cardoso in her pregame interview. “They are very good on the boards,” Brondello said. “That’s going to be very critical for us. Not giving them second chance points.”

Reese led the WNBA in total rebounds (11.8 per game) and offensive rebounds (4.7 per game) as of July 11.

Brondello also said Jones and Stewart were effective at guarding Reese, holding her to 5 of 17 attempted field goals in the game. “We do a really good job of protecting the rim, because we got these players,” she said. “They anticipate really well.”

The two teams played swiftly shot for shot to start the game. Thornton ended the first quarter with an 11-foot two-point shot as the Liberty trailed the Sky 22-19. New York fell farther behind, by as much as 13 points almost half way through the second quarter. The Liberty came back to tie the score at 38, but trailed 40-38 at halftime. Ionescu had only two points from one of eight attempted field goals. New York re-focused after halftime and were ahead 63-62 at the end of the third quarter. Ionescu scored 19 points in the second half of the game.

“When she gets going, I feel like the rest of the team gets going in a sense,” said Sky Guard Marina Mabrey about the inability to hold Ionescu in the second half.  “That energy that she gives and the crowd gets going, and it’s tough to stop them.”

Mabrey also said their turnovers didn’t help. The Liberty gained 21 points off the Sky’s 13 turnovers. “Kind of just locking down,” Thornton said about how New York refocused after halftime. “Leaning into the next game this is very important when it comes down to it.”

Thornton and Leonie Fiebich each made four of their five attempts from beyond the arc. Thornton scored 16 points and Fiebich set a new career-high with 13 points.

Sky Guard Chennedy Carter led Chicago with 22 points and added five assists. Forward Isabelle Harrison also had a double-double with 12 points and 12 total rebounds.

“Could have been better defensively,” said Chicago Coach Teresa Weatherspoon about her assessment of the game. “Could have done things better the second half and so could have I as their coach.”

The Liberty and the Sky meet again Saturday July 13 in a matinee game.