Tom's THIRD WNBA Game

New York Liberty versus Detroit Shock

Wednesday, August 19, 1998, 8:00 PM, at the Palace of Auburn Hills(televised)

"Rebecca Lobo of the New York Liberty"

Razija Mujanovic's three-point play with 4:02 to play snapped a tie and triggered a game-breaking 11-2 run as the expansion Detroit Shock dealt the New York Liberty a major blow in their bid for a playoff spot with an 82-68 victory. Sandy Brondello scored a season-high 24 points and Lynette Woodard added season bests of 18 and nine rebounds for Detroit (17-13), which finished its inaugural season 11-4 at home, including two wins against the Liberty.

"We had 16,246 reasons to play hard," said Shock coach Nancy Lieberman-Cline. "We're professionals, we're being paid to play the game. We looked at the films the other day of the four games we lost where we had the big leads. Like the 'worst of...' We lost because we didn't take care of business, tonight we did."

Sophia Witherspoon scored 26 points for New York (18-12), which was denied its second straight playoff appearance when the Phoenix Mercury defeated the Sacramento Monarchs to clinch the final playoff berth. The Liberty's loss allowed the Charlotte Sting to clinch the third of four playoff spots available.

"It's safe to say our playoff hopes are over," said Liberty coach Nancy Darsch. "It's frustrating. We haven't played the last two games like we did our past 10 or 11 games. You can't expect Phoenix is going to lose on their home floor. The emotion was there, but the energy was not."

"I'm so angry right now that we gave this game away," said Liberty forward Rebecca Lobo. "We gave away a 14-point lead, we just couldn't score. It should've been ours, but we just handed it over to Detroit. We had a chance with a minute-and-a-half left, but we just couldn't get it."

The Shock led 55-48 with 11:01 to go after a jumper by Brondello, but New York was able to draw even at 62-62 with 4:30 to play after a bucket by Lobo.

But Mujanovic made a hook shot on the right baseline and drew center Kym Hampton's fifth foul in the process. She made the free throw, and Carla Porter added two free throws with 3:12 to go, making it 67-62.

Witherspoon was fouled attempting a three-pointer with 1:55 remaining, and hit two of three free throws to make it a one-possession game at 67-64. But Brondello hit two free throws 16 seconds later, and Cindy Brown sank a pair with 1:06 to go for a 71-64 Detroit lead.

Porter and Brondello each hit four free throws in the final minute to seal the victory. Detroit hit its final 19 free throws and 25-of-27 overall.

"I've never won anything before playing basketball," said Brondello, who won $12,500 for finishing as the league's top free-throw shooter. "And I'm one of the poorest players in the league."

In the first half, Weatherspoon and Vickie Johnson combined for 15 points in a 22-6 tear that gave the Liberty a 30-16 lead with 11:13 left. But Detroit closed the half on a 9-0 spurt as Mujanovic had a jumper, Brown made a free throw and Woodard hit three jumpers to give the Shock a 38-36 lead at halftime.

Detroit made 28-of-58 (48 percent) of its shots and scored 22 points off 17 Liberty turnovers. Mujanovic added 16 points and Brown 14 for the Shock.

The Liberty shot 40 percent (25-of-62) from the floor and were outrebounded 32-27.