Prince, Charles Lead New York To 81-68 Win Over Minnesota

NEW YORK (AP) — Epiphanny Prince scored 22 points and the New York Liberty clinched their first playoff berth in three seasons with an 81-68 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Friday night.

Tina Charles added 18 points for New York (19-8), which holds a 2 1/2-game lead in the Eastern Conference. The Liberty, who have a one-game lead over the Lynx for the best record in the WNBA, last made the playoffs in 2012.

Maya Moore led Minnesota (19-10) with 25 points, all coming after the first quarter.

This was the first meeting of the teams, marking the latest in the season that two conference leaders played for the first time according to STATS. The two will play again on Sept. 6 in Minnesota.

New York came out focused and built an 11-point lead in the first quarter behind Charles and Prince. Charles' 3-point play with about 20 seconds left in the first made it 25-14. After a basket by Devereaux Peters made it a nine-point game, Brittany Boyd was fouled right before the buzzer on a drive to the basket. After a lengthy review, the officials awarded her two free throws, which she hit to give New York a 27-16 advantage after one period.

Minnesota rallied within two behind Moore, who was scoreless in the first quarter. She had 14 points in the second period to get the Lynx back in the game. They trailed 41-38 before Prince hit a 15-foot pullup just before the halftime buzzer.

Newk York extended its lead in the third, making it 58-44 on Prince's four-point play with 3:50 left in the period. Minnesota could get no closer than seven the rest of the game.

The Lynx were the prohibitive favorite to win a third crown in five seasons coming into this year, but they have struggled lately since acquiring All-Star center Sylvia Fowles. She finished with 18 points.

They have gone just 7-6 since the blockbuster deal on July 28 after starting the season 12-4.

Minnesota was once again without Seimone Augustus, who was on the sideline with a walking boot on her left foot. She's out "indefinitely" according to coach Cheryl Reeve.

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