Phillips Helps Liberty Come Through at Home

Tari Phillips scored 22 points as the New York Liberty beat the Phoenix Mercury, 82-69, on Wednesday night before 13,054 at New York.

Crystal Robinson and Beccy Hammon each added 14 points to help the Liberty (6-7) to only their third victory in seven games at Madison Square Garden.

“Maybe that’s what we needed to right the ship,” Liberty Coach Richie Adubato said.

New York had lost three of its last four home games by an average of 7.8 points, including a five-point loss to the Sparks on Sunday.

Michelle Griffiths led the Mercury (8-5) with 17 points and Tonya Edwards had 16.

Portland 80, Cleveland 69--Sophia Witherspoon and Alisa Burras each scored 22 points for the Fire before 7,014 at Portland, Ore.

Portland shot 73% in the first five minutes to take a 21-7 lead. Witherspoon scored 12 points during the stretch and Burras added seven.

Sacramento 82, Minnesota 74--Kedra Holland-Corn scored 17 points for the Monarchs before 6,479 at Sacramento.

Yolanda Griffith had 14 points and nine rebounds for Sacramento, which is 5-0 at home.

Detroit 82, Seattle 78--Wendy Palmer had a season-high 32 points and 12 rebounds as the Shock won before 7,929 at Seattle.

Edna Campbell, the Storm’s leading scorer, missed the game because of a sprained right foot.

Orlando 61, Miami 53--Shannon Johnson scored 14 points to lead four Orlando starters in double figures before 5,744 at Orlando, Fla.

Orlando never trailed after taking the lead with 4:30 left in the first half on a layup by Johnson.

Houston 76, Charlotte 66--Cynthia Cooper had 21 points and 10 assists and Sheryl Swoopes scored 22 points as the Comets won before 5,402 at Charlotte, N.C.

Charlotte has lost eight in a row at home to match the WNBA record set by Washington in 1998 and 1999.