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Liberty squeak by Mystics

Jul 29, 2011 - 1:42 AM Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - Cappie Pondexter scored 19 points and Kia Vaughn added 14, including the go-ahead layup in the final minute, as the New York Liberty beat Washington, 75-71, at the Prudential Center.

Plenette Pierson totaled 13 points for the Liberty, who won for the eighth time in 11 games. New York forced 19 turnovers, leading to 18 points.

Crystal Langhorne had 18 points and Kelly Miller 17 for the Mystics, who lost their third in a row and fell to an Eastern Conference-worst 3-12.

Vaughn's layup, off a pass from Pondexter, gave the hosts a 72-71 edge with 54.2 seconds left.

Kerri Gardin was called for an offensive foul at the other end, and the New York was able to escape thanks to the rebounding effort from Nicole Powell. She corralled a missed shot from Pondexter. That led to a 1-of-2 effort from the line for Pondexter with 9.4 seconds left and a two-point edge.

Jasmine Thomas then passed the ball out of bounds for the Mystics and Pierson drained two from the charity stripe to seal New York's triumph.