Perfection. ? pic.twitter.com/tRKtCPitdn
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) August 8, 2019
Rebecca Allen’s finest hour went by the wayside as a valiant New York Liberty effort fell just short against the Chicago Sky.
The New York Liberty did almost everything right in Chicago on Wednesday night. A defensive lapse against Allie Quigley, however, haunted one of the best team effort seen this season.
Rebecca Allen put in a career-best 21 points, while Tina Charles added a game-high 24 points.
But an open fourth quarter came back to haunt the Liberty, as Allie Quigley scored 10 of her 22 points in the final frame to guide a 101-92 victory for the local Sky at Wintrust Arena. Chicago outscored the Liberty 42-32 in the fourth. Those 42 points are a WNBA-record for most points in a single quarter.
?️ In tonight's win, the @wnbachicagosky set a #WNBA record for most points scored in a single quarter with 42 in the fourth ? #WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/zedjLFdN2V
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 8, 2019
The Liberty (8-14) had plenty to be proud of after their back-and-forth battle. They led most of the game against the sharp-shooting Sky, holding the WNBA’s top three-point shooting team to 1-of-13 from deep in the first half. They enjoyed sterling performances off the bench from Allen and Marine Johannes.
The international duo would combine for 37 points in defeat and initially helped the Liberty build an early lead. Johannes put in 16 points, shooting 6-for-6 from the field. It’s the second time in her young career that she has had a perfect night shooting with at least six attempts.
The most encouraging sign perhaps came from All-Star Tina Charles, who earned six assists and five rebounds to accompany her tally. Charles also shot a season-best 55% (11-for-20) from the field.
? @tinacharles31 gets to work in the paint with the hook shot! #LibertyLoud pic.twitter.com/4JaMwnYyfR
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 8, 2019
New York led 60-59 after three quarters. But once the game turned into a Chicago-style shootout, the Liberty were doomed to yet another defeat.
Headlined by the antics of Quigley and her pair of fellow All-Stars, the Sky continued their ascent up the WNBA standings by initiating a shocking 42-point fourth quarter. Each added eight points to the Sky’s massive tally, as they brought the game back to the outside. The Sky (13-9) also got to the foul line 31 times, converting 25 of those opportunities. In comparison, the Liberty only shot eight times after fouls.
Jantel Lavender also registered a double-double for the Sky, earning 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Allie Quigley doing @alliequigley things ? She buries her third from deep ? #Skytown pic.twitter.com/WIfEeQNW1b
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 8, 2019
Sheesh! @Sloot22 flies straight past the defender and straight to the hoop for 2⃣ #Skytown pic.twitter.com/T1kBXGjmIg
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 8, 2019
That might not be the only qualm the Liberty could potentially have with officials. With 7:21 remaining in the fourth, the clock froze for at least 40 seconds.
Before the scoring got completely out of hand, the game was defined by physical antics on the inside. Amanda Zahui B (nine rebounds) was an unfortunate casualty of the results. She left the game in the third quarter after a hard tumble and did not return. Her status has not been determined.
Adding to Allen’s personal history, the Australian-born guard also became the third player in WNBA history to earn at least six three-pointers (7-for-11) and four blocks in the same game. New York’s 30 assists were also good for the second-best tally in team history. Tanisha Wright and Bria Hartley teamed up with Charles to make even more history. Each had at least six assists (Wright and Hartley had seven each), tying a WNBA record for the most players to reach that mark in a single game.
With the win, Chicago sweeps their season set from the Liberty after taking 2-of-3 last season. The Sky are a half-game behind Los Angeles for the final first-round bye in the standings.
The Liberty will next play on Sunday afternoon, hosting a rubber match with the Seattle Storm (3:00 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Go). Sunday’s game will be held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
