Fowles leads Chicago Sky past Liberty 88-77
NEW YORK -- Sylvia Fowles had 22 points and Candice Dupree added 20 to lead the Chicago Sky to an 88-77 win over the New York Liberty on Friday night.
Shyra Ely added 12 points for the Sky (12-12), who led 56-28 at halftime. It's the most first-half points the Liberty have allowed this season.
Shameka Christon had 25 points and 10 rebounds for New York (8-15), which has lost four straight at home and seven of 11. Janel McCarville added 17 points for the Liberty, who remain in last place in the Eastern Conference.
The Liberty rallied behind Christon's 17 points in the third quarter to get within 66-57 with 1:48 left. New York also trailed by nine 83-74 on Essence Carson's putback with 1:45 remaining in the fourth.
New York interim head coach Anne Donovan lost her first game at Madison Square Garden as Liberty coach. Donovan coached the U.S. Olympic women's basketball team to a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.
She replaced Pat Coyle, who was fired on July 31 just before the team went on a five-game road trip. The Liberty finished 2-3 on their longest road swing of the season.
New York fell behind 39-19 with 6:58 left in the second quarter after two free throws by Ely. The Sky went on an 11-3 run for a 50-22 lead. Jia Perkins had a 3-point play and two free throws during the run.
McCarville made one of two free throws to temporarily stop the Sky offense. Fowles added four points to close the half.
The Sky went on a 17-6 run starting with Perkins' jumper to take a 28-12 lead after the first quarter. The Liberty shot 6 for 19 from the field in the quarter.
Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar joined other former NBA stars and Knicks president Donnie Walsh at halftime to honor the Rucker Park pro league legends.
Sky scouting report
Minnesota Lynx (11-12) at Chicago Sky (12-12), 7 p.m.
Where: UIC Pavilion
Recent results: On Thursday, the Lynx lost to the Indiana Fever, 91-81; on Friday, the Sky defeated the New York Liberty 88-77.
Skinny: It's been a while since the Sky has seen the Lynx, but there's no forgetting what happened. In its season opener, the Sky traveled up to Minneapolis and suffered one of its biggest losses of the season. Minnesota cruised to a 102-85 win - What haunted the Sky then (21 turnovers and a 27-20 disadvantage on the boards) has been an Achilles heel throughout the season and particularly in recent losses - Ironically, Sky stars Sylvia Fowles (8.6 rpg) and Candice Dupree (7.2 rpg) are two of the better rebounders in the WNBA. The Sky just needs better consistency out of everyone-Speaking of consistency, the Lynx has consistently lost lately. Minnesota, which is led in scoring by Seimone Augustus (21 ppg), has won only one of its last six games.
Next: Phoenix Mercury at Chicago Sky; 7 p.m. Tuesday