NEW YORK (AP) Tina Charles scored 18 points to help the New York Liberty beat the Seattle Storm 78-74 on Wednesday night, overcoming a strong effort by Breanna Stewart.
Tanisha Wright added a season-high 18 points for the Liberty (13-6), who have won three of their past four games.
New York led for the entire game, building their advantage to 18 in the first half before Seattle rallied behind Stewart, the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft this past April. She finished with 24 points and 16 rebounds.
The Storm (6-12) trailed by seven midway through the fourth before Stewart scored five straight to get them within 75-73 with 8.8 seconds left.
Sue Bird was fouled 4 seconds later and hit the first of two free throws. Her second bounced off the rim and New York grabbed the rebound.
Wright hit two free throws with 1.9 seconds remaining and Seattle turned the ball over on its last possession to seal the game.
Bird, who grew up on Long Island and said she had about 60 family and friends at the game, matched her season high with 10 assists. She also had 10 assists against New York in the earlier meeting this season in Seattle.
A beautiful rendition of the national anthem was sung before the game by a group of students from Daniel's Music Foundation. The New York-based music school was founded in 2006, nine years after Daniel Trush had a burst arterial brain aneurysm at 12 years old. Now 32 years old, Trush was part of the group singing.
