Liberty Win Ends Mystic Streak

The New York Liberty ended Washington’s nine-game home winning streak Saturday by defeating the Mystics, 67-53, behind Vickie Johnson’s 19 points.

The Mystics were 8-0 in Washington--the WNBA’s only unbeaten home record--and won their home finale in 2001.

“It was a big win for us, to play a first-place team on their floor and get an effort like we got,” Liberty Coach Richie Adubato said.

Tari Phillips had 13 points and a season-high 12 rebounds, and Crystal Robinson scored 15 for New York, which extended its winning streak over the Mystics to five games.

Coco Miller and Helen Luz each had 11 points for Washington, which played its fifth consecutive game without the injured Chamique Holdsclaw, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder. She has a sprained left ankle.

Charlotte 63, Minnesota 60--Allison Feaster made two free throws with 11 seconds left at Charlotte, N.C., to secure the Sting’s victory over the Lynx.

Minnesota, losers of eight in a row on the road, has not won a road game since June 1. The Lynx had a chance to end the skid, building a 13-point first-half lead before collapsing late. Svetlana Abrosimova had 17 points to lead Minnesota. Tammy Sutton-Brown led Charlotte with 13 points.

Utah 75, Phoenix 66--Natalie Williams scored a season-high 22 points at Salt Lake City to lead the Starzz to their fourth victory in five games.

Jennifer Gillom scored 14 points, and Slobodanka Tuvic 11 for the Mercury, who slipped to 0-9 on the road. They haven’t won away from home since July 27, 2001.

Miami 70, Orlando 56--Betty Lennox scored a season-high 24 points at Miami as the Sol won its fourth in a row.

Shannon Johnson led Orlando with 15 points.