Charles powers Sun past Liberty in playoff opener

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) -- Tina Charles collected her first WNBA MVP award, then showed why she deserved the honor.

Charles had 17 points and four blocks to power the Connecticut Sun to a 65-60 victory over the New York Liberty in their playoff opener on Thursday night.

''The day is going great,'' the third-year center said. ''I got a (personal) achievement, and we got the first playoff win. Now we have to build on that.''

Game 2 of the best-of-three Eastern Conference semifinal series is at the Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday at 7 p.m.

It was the Sun's first playoff win since they beat the Liberty 73-70 on Sept. 20, 2008.

''I'm happy with the win,'' Connecticut coach Mike Thibault said. ''I'm happy with the effort. We need to play a lot better.''

Asjha Jones had 10 points, nine rebounds and four assists for Connecticut (26-9), which is the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Kara Lawson added eight points, six rebounds and five assists.

Cappie Pondexter had 14 points, six assists and four steals for the Liberty (15-20). Plenette Pierson finished with 13 points and nine rebounds.

The Sun and Liberty were tied at 45 with over a minute left in the third quarter when Connecticut pulled away with a 12-0 run. It held New York scoreless for a 6 1/2-minute stretch that began late in the third quarter and extended into the fourth.

Renee Montgomery made two free throws early in the fourth quarter, then fed Mistie Mims for a layup. Jones continued Connecticut's run with a pull-up jumper.

Read the original:
Charles powers Sun past Liberty in playoff opener