Struggling Liberty need change

The Libertys season is almost half over but unless there is significant improvement, this team could be finished sooner rather than later.

New York (6-10) remains mired in fifth place in the Eastern Conference as it heads into todays game at Indiana (9-6). The Fever are 5-2 home.

The last time New York played at Indianapolis, it took a 91-68 beating, one of the worst in franchise history. This is the second of a three-game stretch before the Olympic break. The Liberty got drilled at home Sunday, 94-81 by the San Antonio Silver Stars.

We didnt have a good outing defensively, Liberty coach John Whisenant told reporters after the game. Weve had a couple of good defensive outings against Seattle and more recently Chicago, and we never got control of this one.

The defense, which hasnt been good all season, wasnt the biggest problem against San Antonio. The Liberty were inconsistent offensively.

After scoring 28 points in the first quarter they scored just half of that (14) in the second. New York regained some mojo at halftime and scored 27 points in the third quarter. But the Liberty couldnt maintain it and scored just 12 in the fourth quarter.

Injuries have taken a toll. Power forward Plenette Pierson, one of the best all-around pros in the WNBA, is expected to miss her seventh straight game with a strained left knee. Center Kia Vaughn, the teams leading rebounder, is expected to sit out her third straight game with a concussion.

The Liberty are 1 1/2 games behind the Atlanta Dream for the last playoff spot in the East. They lead the Washington Mystics by 1 1/2 games. The Liberty end the first half of the season with a home game against Washington on Friday.

If nothing else, the month long break will give New York a chance to heal.

lenn.robbins@nypost.com

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Struggling Liberty need change