Liberty Hangs Onto Victory

Vickie Johnson and Crystal Robinson each made two free throws within the last six seconds to lift the New York Liberty over the Minnesota Lynx, 67-64, Friday night before 15,770 at Madison Square Garden.

It was the eighth consecutive home victory for the Liberty (15-5), which remained tied with Cleveland for first place in the Eastern Conference entering the All-Star break.

The Lynx trailed, 63-62, after Minnesota’s Erin Buescher made a layup but missed a possible game-tying free throw with 10 seconds left. Katie Smith had 23 points for Minnesota (6-11), but her final field goal, on a three-point shot that tied it, 42-42, came only seven minutes into the second half.

Cleveland 69, Phoenix 61--Merlakia Jones scored 22 points, including 10 free throws, to lead the Rockers to their 13th consecutive home victory before a crowd of 7,564.

Cleveland (15-5) outscored Phoenix, 25-5, from the line. Maria Stepanova scored 13 points for the Mercury (6-12).

Houston 58, Seattle 55--Tina Thompson and Janeth Arcain scored the Comets’ last 13 points as Houston (14-4) won before 5,026 at Seattle. Thompson finished with 22 points and nine rebounds, and Arcain added 14 points, including four free throws in the final 20 seconds. Simone Edwards led Seattle (8-12) with a career-high 19 points.

Indiana 74, Orlando 60--Vicki Hall, signed by the Fever a day earlier, had six points in a 15-0 second-half run to lead the victory before 8,770 at Indianapolis.

The Fever (6-12) began their run after Indiana Coach Nell Fortner picked up her first technical foul of the season when she ran onto the court to argue a call. Shannon Johnson had a game-high 21 points for Orlando (6-12). Jurgita Streimikyte led Indiana with 16 points.

Miami 56, Detroit 55--Ruth Riley made two free throws with a tenth of a second remaining to lead the Sol before 6,170 at Auburn Hills, Mich. Detroit (5-12) had led, 55-54, with 4.3 seconds left on two free throws by Dominique Canty. Sandy Brondello, who played for Detroit in 1998-99 and is the Shock’s career scoring leader, led Miami (9-9) with 14 points. Riley had her first career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.