Stinson-Driven Sting Pushes Liberty to Limit

Of all the games that Andrea Stinson has played for the Charlotte Sting--and she has played in all 170 since the franchise’s inception--few has felt as satisfying to her about as Sunday’s.

Stinson took over the game in the second half, scoring 16 of her team’s final 22 points as the Sting, facing playoff elimination, defeated the New York Liberty, 62-53.

“It ranks right at the top,” Stinson said, “one of those games when we were challenged on every possession, but playoff games are what you love.”

Evening its WNBA Eastern Conference finals series at one game apiece, the Sting forced a deciding Game 3 to be played tonight at Madison Square Garden. The winner advances to the WNBA finals, beginning Thursday night.

Stinson finished with 18 points, eight assists and eight rebounds for the Sting.

“Her eyes light up, and she takes over,” teammate Dawn Staley said.

Stinson had only two points before converting a field goal for a 42-42 tie six minutes into the second half.

She added a three-point shot for a 49-48 lead with nine minutes left, then came up with a steal near midcourt that she converted into a layup for a 51-48 lead that took the crowd--which included Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants--out of the game.

Stinson made another three-point shot as the shot clock was winding down to give the Sting a 56-50 lead with five minutes left.

“I wanted them to think I was going to the basket, then I stepped back and shot it. That’s what you’ve got to do sometimes,” Stinson said.

She then drove the lane, drew a double-team and fed Tammy Sutton-Brown for a layup with two minutes left to make it 58-53.

“She draws so much attention, and part of my job is knowing when to be in the right position at the right time,” Sutton-Brown said.

For good measure, Stinson scored Charlotte’s next four points, making two free throws after being fouled on a breakaway, then dribbling down the shot clock and sinking a jumper with 40 seconds left for a 62-53 lead.

Staley added 18 points, making four of Charlotte’s nine three-point shots.

Allison Feaster added 11 points and eight rebounds.

Vickie Johnson had 16 and Crystal Robinson 13 for the Liberty.

“We weren’t up to playing the defense we usually play. We weren’t the team that we’ve been in the past,” Liberty Coach Richie Adubato said.

Staley scored 14 of her points in the first half as the Sting withstood a 14-1 run by the Liberty and took a 35-31 lead into the locker room.

Bonds said he dropped by the Garden because he is a friend of injured Liberty forward Rebecca Lobo. He left at halftime.