Liberty 79, Sun 66

UpdatedAug 16, 2012 10:43 PM ET

The New York Liberty's goal for the second half of the season is to win 11 of their remaining games. They got off to a good start in their return from the WNBA's Olympic break.

Cappie Pondexter scored 24 points to lead the Liberty to a 79-66 victory over the first-place Connecticut Sun on Thursday night.

Plenette Pierson, returning after missing the New York's last eight games before the hiatus due to a left knee strain, had 16 points to help the Liberty (7-12) snap a three-game skid.

''If we win 11 games we give ourselves a chance to make a playoff push,'' Pondexter said. ''It's attainable. Right now we got 10 to go. I really feel we have a chance to win some games on the road.''

The Liberty, who have 15 games remaining, play their next five on the road - starting with a rematch against Connecticut on Saturday night. They then close with seven of their last 10 at home.

Renee Montgomery scored 16 points, and Allison Hightower and Mistie Mims added 12 each for the Sun (15-5), who snapped a five-game winning streak.

''We struggled tonight,'' Connecticut coach Mike Thibault said. ''We shot terrible in the second half and we turned it over.''

Tina Charles, who helped lead the United States to a gold medal at the London Games, had just four points and 12 rebounds, while fellow Olympian Asjha Jones sat out due to a strained left Achilles' tendon - an injury she was dealing with before the break.

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Liberty 79, Sun 66