Johnson Leads as Liberty Clinches Playoff Spot

Vickie Johnson scored 20 points as the New York Liberty clinched a playoff berth with an 81-56 victory over the Charlotte Sting Monday night at New York.

The Eastern Conference-leading Liberty (18-10) won its fifth consecutive game and kept its lead over second-place Cleveland, which beat Detroit 76-65 Monday, at 2 1/2 games.

Crystal Robinson had 12 points for the Liberty, winner of a franchise-high eight consecutive home games and 11 of 12 overall. The Liberty, which reached the playoffs for the third time in four seasons, is the WNBA’s defending Eastern Conference champion.

Andrea Stinson led the Sting (7-21) with 18 points. Rhonda Mapp added 13 points and nine rebounds for the last-place Sting, which will miss the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

The Liberty opened a 51-31 lead on Teresa Weatherspoon’s basket with just over 14 minutes remaining. The Sting could get no closer than 55-39 with eight minutes left.

Johnson, who has led the Liberty in scoring seven of the last nine games, finished six for nine from the field and made all five of her free throws. Weatherspoon added 11 points and six assists.

New York, which won seven consecutive home games spanning the 1997 and 1998 seasons, opened a 10-0 lead before Mapp scored 5:15 into the game. Robinson’s three-pointer extended the lead to 22-8 with eight minutes remaining.

Cleveland 76, Detroit 65--Helen Darling scored 15 of her game-high 17 points in the second half, lifting the Rockers to victory at Auburn Hills. Mich.

Detroit (12-15) remained a half-game ahead of idle Washington for fourth place in the Eastern Conference in the chase for playoff position.

The Rockers (15-12), who trailed, 35-28, at halftime, took their first lead, 51-48, on a three-point play by Mery Andrade with 7:47 remaining.