NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- With five days to practice and rest since a disappointing loss in their previous game, the New York Liberty were fired up against the Seattle Storm.

Essence Carson scored 22 points and Cappie Pondexter had 20 to lead the Liberty to a 77-59 victory over the Storm on Saturday.

''It was a big win, a much-needed win,'' Pondexter said. ''We were really striving to win. ... I think having a week off and getting our legs refreshed and our minds refocused, we were able to come out and win.''

Pondexter and Carson combined to shoot 15 for 30 from the field and 10 for 12 from the free-throw line. Pondexter also had a season-high seven rebounds and four assists.

The Liberty (5-9) hadn't played since a 10-point loss to Atlanta on Sunday, New York's fourth loss in five games.

''I'm sure she had in her mind she wanted to win today,'' Pondexter said of Carson. ''I did as well, especially coming off that last performance against Atlanta. We got back in the gym and worked on things, just prepared for today.''

DeMya Walker added 11 points for the Liberty, who lost leading rebounder Kia Vaughn to a concussion late in the second quarter. She did not return and finished with eight points and one rebound.

The Liberty were already without second-leading scorer and rebounder Plenette Pierson (strained left knee), who missed her fourth straight game and is not expected back until after the Olympic break.

''It's a big loss,'' Carson said of Vaughn. ''But as you saw today, when one goes down everyone's willing to step up. When Plenette went down, we had a lot of people step up. As long as we continue to pick up the slack we'll be all right. And when they come back, we'll be even stronger.''

Ann Wauters and Tina Thompson scored 10 points each for Seattle (6-8), which snapped a five-game winning streak. The Storm shot just 32 percent from the field (19 for 59), including 4 for 22 on 3-pointers. They also committed 25 turnovers - their most since having 27 in the season opener against Los Angeles - which led to 20 points for the Liberty.

Read the rest here:

Carson, Pondexter lead Liberty past Storm