Georgia Amoore’s shot isn’t falling, but the Mystics rookie remains a key piece in Washington.<\/p>\n
New York Liberty 75 def. Phoenix Mercury 68 (Final)<\/p>\n
Barclays Center \u2013 Brooklyn, New York<\/p>\n
Australian wing Rebecca Allen<\/a> and the New York Liberty<\/a> continued their climb back above .500 with a 75-68 victory over the Phoenix Mercury<\/a> at Barclays Center.<\/p>\n The win lifted New York to 5-4 after the Liberty opened the season with three losses in their first four games. They have now won four of their past five contests.<\/p>\n Allen saw limited court time, playing three minutes off the bench and finishing without a statistic. The Australian veteran entered the game averaging 3.0 points and 2.3 rebounds across her previous four appearances for New York.<\/p>\n The Liberty’s defence set the tone, holding Phoenix to just 34 per cent shooting from the field and outrebounding the Mercury 40-23.<\/p>\n French guard Pauline Astier led New York with 16 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Betnijah Laney-Hamilton added 13 points off the bench. Jonquel Jones finished with nine points, nine rebounds and two blocks.<\/p>\n Phoenix fell to 2-7 despite 16 points from Kahleah Copper and 15 points, eight assists and three steals from Alyssa Thomas. Monique Akoa Makani added 13 points and knocked down three triples.<\/p>\n Australian guard Sami Whitcomb<\/a> remained sidelined through injury and did not suit up for the Mercury, while Liberty development player Anneli Maley<\/a> was not activated.<\/p>\n New York led by six entering the fourth quarter and maintained control down the stretch, limiting Phoenix to 14 points in the final period to secure the seven-point victory.<\/p>\n Australians<\/p>\n Rebecca Allen (New York Liberty) \u2013 3 minutes.<\/p>\n Anneli Maley (New York Liberty \u2013 Development Player) \u2013 Did not play.<\/p>\n Sami Whitcomb (Phoenix Mercury) \u2013 Out injured.<\/p>\n Top Performers<\/p>\n New York Liberty<\/p>\n Pauline Astier \u2013 16 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assistsBetnijah Laney-Hamilton \u2013 13 points, 3 reboundsJonquel Jones \u2013 9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks<\/p>\n Phoenix Mercury<\/p>\n Kahleah Copper \u2013 16 pointsAlyssa Thomas \u2013 15 points, 8 assists, 3 stealsMonique Akoa Makani \u2013 13 points, 3 assistsLos Angeles Sparks 92 def. Washington Mystics 87 (Final)<\/p>\n CareFirst Arena \u2013 Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n Australian rookie Georgia Amoore<\/a> and the Washington Mystics<\/a> fell just short of returning to .500 as the Los Angeles Sparks<\/a> claimed a 92-87 road victory on Saturday (AEDT).<\/p>\n Washington entered the contest having won two of its previous three games, including a 78-64 road win over Seattle, but could not contain a balanced Sparks attack led by Erica Wheeler and Nneka Ogwumike.<\/p>\n Amoore was held to one point in 23 minutes, finishing 0-of-7 from the field and 0-of-6 from three-point range. The former Kentucky guard added three assists and one rebound.<\/p>\n The Mystics received major contributions elsewhere. Centre Shakira Austin dominated with 25 points and 10 rebounds on 8-of-10 shooting, while Sonia Citron added 21 points and eight assists. Kiki Iriafen chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds.<\/p>\n Los Angeles improved to 4-3 behind 21 points and eight assists from Wheeler, while Ogwumike posted a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Cameron Brink provided an immediate spark off the bench with 16 points in 17 minutes.<\/p>\n Washington actually shot 51 per cent from the field and outrebounded Los Angeles 31-29, but struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 5-of-22 (23%) from three-point range. The Sparks took advantage of 15 Mystics turnovers and generated 23 assists on 33 made field goals.<\/p>\n The loss dropped Washington to 3-4 after a competitive opening month that has included wins over Toronto, Indiana and Seattle.<\/p>\n Australians<\/p>\n Georgia Amoore (Washington Mystics) \u2013 23 minutes, 1 point, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, 0-7 FG, 0-6 3PT, 1-2 FT.<\/p>\n