By VIN A. CHERWOO
September 5, 2010
NEW YORK (AP) -- Angel McCoughtry scored 13 of her 21 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Atlanta Dream to an 81-75 victory over the New York Liberty in the opener of the Eastern Conference finals Sunday night.
Sancho Lyttle had 18 points and 13 rebounds, and Erika DeSouza added 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Dream, who scored the final seven points of the game over the last 45 seconds.
Cappie Pondexter scored eight of her 24 points in the final 4 minutes, and her two free throws put the Liberty ahead 75-74 with under 55 seconds remaining, but they didn't score again.
Plenette Pierson had 18 points, and Nicole Powell added 15 for New York.
Game 2 is Tuesday night in Atlanta, with Game 3, if necessary, back at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. The winner will advance to the WNBA finals against Seattle, which beat Phoenix 91-88 earlier Sunday to complete a sweep in the West finals.
