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Sun force Game Three with win over Liberty

Sep 21, 2008 - 2:19 AM UNCASVILLE, Connecticut (Ticker) -- The Connecticut Sun are alive in their Eastern Conference semifinal series - barely.

Asjha Jones scored 16 points as the Sun survived a fourth-quarter scare to force a decisive Game Three with a 73-70 victory over the New York Liberty on Saturday.

Lindsay Whalen scored 15 points for the Sun, who suffered a 72-63 loss to Liberty in the opening game of the best-of-three series Thursday. Game Three will be here Monday.

New York outscored Connecticut, 21-11, in the final period but was stymied when Tamika Whitmore nailed two free throws in the final 30 seconds to preserve the victory.

Using a desperate run to try and close out the series, the Liberty cut their deficit to 71-70 with 1:16 left. New York sank six 3-pointers in the fourth after trailing, 62-49, entering the final period.

It was a good day all around for the Sun, who saw coach Mike Thibault win the WNBA Coach of Year Award earlier Saturday. Thibault also claimed the honor in 2006 and became the third coach to do so multiple times.

Loree Moore scored 16 points for New York.