Liberty Is Alone in First

The New York Liberty is back where it wants to be--atop the Eastern Conference.

Vickie Johnson scored 18 of her 20 points in the second half as the Liberty defeated the Miami Sol, 66-54, before 15,344 Friday night at Madison Square Garden and moved one game ahead of the Washington Mystics.

Tamika Whitmore had 19 points, and Teresa Weatherspoon had 10 assists for the Liberty (16-10).

“Our game plan was to up the tempo, press and push,” New York Coach Richie Adubato said. “Vickie busted it open with a couple of big threes in transition.”

Miami (12-16), which finished its trip 1-4, shot 35% and was outrebounded, 34-27.

Sol Coach Ron Rothstein said fatigue might have been a factor: “I don’t like to use it as an excuse, but I think it was a certain element in tonight’s game.”

Portland 67, Washington 65--Ukari Figgs scored 16 points as the Fire (16-12) handed the Mystics (15-11) their fifth consecutive loss before 16,188 at Washington. Chamique Holdsclaw led the Mystics with 26 points.

Despite losing, Coach Marianne Stanley said: “I feel that we broke out of our rut to a great degree.”

Minnesota 75, Phoenix 51--Katie Smith’s 22 points led the Lynx (8-19) past the Mercury (9-18) before 12,544 at Minneapolis. Smith scored 20 in the second half.