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August 26, 2005

Andrew Gunn
NYCSportingNews.com

Last Thursday's game in Madison Square Garden had a completely different meaning to the New York Liberty than to the Charlotte Sting, and it showed as the last-place Sting thrashed the Liberty 78-66 before 11,509 disappointed fans.

Coming into the game, the Liberty had already wrapped up a playoff spot by clinching its third place finish in the Eastern Conference. And as New York's last game of the regular season happens to be in Indiana against the Fever ? a match-up that will continue into the first round of the playoffs ? preparation for Saturday had become the evident priority.

On the other hand, as Charlotte's season draws to an end with officially the worst record in the WNBA, the Sting was focused more on snapping its season-long road game losing streak. Already 0-16, Charlotte was one loss away from entering the record books alongside the 1998 Washington Mystics as the only teams to lose every away game in a season.

Though New York led 36-35 at the half, Sting's forward Sheri Sam scored a game-high 24 points with 7 rebounds and 4 assists and lifted Charlotte to its long awaited victory. Teammate Tammy Sutton-Brown also contributed to the win, scoring 13 of her 17 points in the second half.

The determination to win that Charlotte (6-27) displayed all game is evidenced in the comparison of team statistics. On the night, the Sting shot .500, while the Liberty struggled to make .373 of its field goals. Charlotte finished with 34 team rebounds, 8 total steals and 2 shots blocked versus New York (18-15) pulling down 32 boards, 3 steals and 2 blocks of its own.

"I think we didn't play very well," said Liberty coach Pat Coyle. "We lost our composure."

Becky Hammon gave an incredible effort for the Liberty, notching up 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, but ultimately could not prevent the loss. Elena Baranova had just 4 points, 9 boards and 1 assist with 3:30 left in the game when, after missing a three point attempt, she landed on a defender's foot and had to be taken out of the game with a sprained right ankle.

"This was my bad ankle; I have broken it twice before, and I sprained it many times, so I'm used to it," explained Baranova after the game. "It takes me probably a week to heal. Maybe less, maybe more ? it depends on how serious it is."

With Center Ann Wauters already gone with a fracture in her right hand, Baranova's injury may put the Liberty at a severe disadvantage going into the playoffs. New York will look to rookie Catherine Kraayeveld, who had 10 points (6 of which were from 3 pointers), 3 rebounds and 1 assist in 21 minutes against Charlotte, to lead the Liberty against the Fever in Saturday's game.

"I'm just going to go in and do what I can for the team," said Kraayeveld. "I'm not going to try and do too much, just go out there, play hard, be aggressive and try to get some energy in there for my teammates."

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