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Thorn's career game leads Liberty in season opener

May 20, 2007 - 11:07 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Erin Thorn started the season in scintillating fashion.

Catching fire from the outside, Thorn scored a career-high 28 points as the New York Liberty posted an 83-71 victory over the Chicago Sky in the season opener for both teams on Sunday.

Having made just two starts in her four-year career prior to Sunday, Thorn is being called upon to help fill the void left by the trade of Becky Hammon to the San Antonio Silver Stars.

Thorn more than showed that she may be able to take on a bigger role after making seven of the Liberty's 13 3-pointers, which matched a franchise record. She went 8-of-16 overall from the floor.

In the fourth quarter, Thorn drained a pair of shots from the arc during an 11-0 surge that provided a commanding 75-63 cushion with 2:56 remaining.

Shameka Christon scored 14 points and Loree Moore added 12 for the Liberty, who battled back from a 49-37 third-quarter deficit.

Monique Currie collected 20 points and 11 rebounds for Chicago, which was playing its first game under new coach Bo Overton.