Liberty use 15-0 run to get past Sky

NEW YORK -- Janel McCarville scored 16 points and Essence Carson had 10 to lead the New York Liberty to a 69-61 win over the Chicago Sky on Sunday.

Cathrine Kraayeveld grabbed 14 rebounds and had some key baskets down the stretch for the Liberty (18-12), who used a 15-0 run in the fourth quarter to take control of the game. New York pulled one-half game behind second-place Detroit in the Eastern Conference.

Jia Perkins scored 18 points and rookie Sylvia Fowles added 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Sky (11-20), who have lost three straight after winning their first three after the monthlong Olympic break.

Trailing 51-46, the Liberty went on their game-turning run over a nearly 3ˆ½-minute stretch. Ashley Battle had a layup and Erin Thorn hit back-to-back 3s from the left corner to take a three-point lead. McCarville and Kraayeveld then sandwiched layups around Battle's 3 from the left corner.

Perkins had a three-point play with 4:16 left, ending Chicago's 4ˆ½-minute scoring drought and pulling the Sky within seven.

However, Kraayeveld hit a 3 at the other end to restore New York's double-digit lead.

Perkins' 3 with 53.9 seconds left cut Chicago's deficit to 67-61, but Kraayeveld and Erlana Larkins each hit a free throw to seal New York's third straight win.

McCarville was down on the court for a few minutes with about 3ˆ½ minutes left and was helped off the court.

The Liberty were already playing without leading scorer Shameka Christon (strained right hamstring) for the third straight game, and leading rebounder Tiffany Jackson (stress fracture) for the fifth consecutive time.

Perkins hit a jumper with 25 seconds left in the third quarter and Wyckoff hit a 3-pointer 16 seconds into the fourth to give the Sky a 49-44 lead, their biggest advantage of the game.

Neither team led by more than five points in the first half.

The Liberty scored six consecutive points on layups by McCarville, Loree Moore and Carson to take a 29-24 lead with 3:20 to go in the second quarter.

Chicago closed the half on an 8-2 run to take a 32-31 lead on Perkins' two free throws with 0.8 seconds left. Fowles had 12 points and seven rebounds at the break.

Carson, who set a career high with 19 points against Chicago on Aug. 28, had 10 at the half this time.