NEW YORK - While New York Liberty mascot, Maddie, celebrated a birthday today, the team enjoyed a celebration of its own with a 71-61 victory over the Western Conference-leading Sacramento Monarchs on Sunday afternoon before an announced crowd of 8,839 Madison Square Garden faithful.

New York got off to an impressive 32-12 start in the first quarter, led by eight points apiece from Shameka Christon and Erin Thorn, who missed four games this season with a sprained ankle. Thorn once again showed coach Pat Coyle and Liberty fans what she brings to the table.

“She’s experienced,” Coyle said. “She’s been there. She has confidence. She brings a calmness to us, and she can shoot the ball.” And that’s just what she did. Thorn [and Cathrine Kraayeveld] led all New York scorers with 13 points each; Thorn also contributed 7 boards.

Loree Moore had 12 points and Christon added 10 as the Liberty rode the momentum of an exciting 82-81 overtime victory over the Detroit Shock on Friday night. Sunday’s victory was the Liberty’s third in four games.

“It’s always a confidence boost when you beat the top teams from the East and West, back to back,” Thorn said.

Rebekkah Brunson led the Monarchs with 18 points and 9 rebounds followed by Nicole Powell’s 11. Sacramento shot a season-low 32 percent, on their way to their third loss in five games.

New York ended the first quarter on a 16-0 run and led 48-28 at halftime; Sacramento opened the third quarter with a 7-2 run to close within 15. “The first half was probably some of the best basketball we’ve played all season,” New York coach Pat Coyle praised.

The Liberty, who led by as much as 23, held off the Monarchs fourth quarter surge, a 12-3 run that closed the gap to 66-57.

“We just did not get it done tonight,” Brunson offered, “especially in the first quarter.” The victory was almost bittersweet as Thorn limped back to the Liberty bench in the fourth quarter, but the arena breathed a collective sigh of relief when she returned to the floor before the final buzzer sounded.

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