The Tribune

By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas’ Jonquel Jones posted her first double-double of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) season this past Sunday. Jones also turned in her second highest point total of the season as the second leading scorer in the New York Liberty’s win against the Phoenix Mercury. Although the Liberty team was without their All-Star guard Sabrina Ionesecu, the third-seeded team routed the Mercury 89-71.

Liberty opened the first quarter on a tear going up 30-17 on the Mercury who played without their star centre Britney Griner. The Mercury star was sidelined with a hip injury sustained last week Tuesday. Jones’ teammate Breanna Stewart had her worst game of the season against the Atlanta Dream in the previous game as she only amassed 12 points in 37 minutes of action. However, on Sunday Stewart collected her seventh double-double of the season with 28 points, and 14 rebounds to pair nicely with seven dimes. Jones stepped up to the plate in the 23 minutes she played at the Barclays Center, the Bahamian forward coming away with 13 points, a season-high 11 boards, and three assists on 50% shooting. Jones also finished the game shooting 100% from the charity stripe.

After taking control in the first quarter, the Liberty went into halftime with a 53-34 lead over the 2-7 (win/loss) Phoenix team. Jones’ teammate Stewart poured in 23 of her 28 points in the first half making it a big difference from the last game’s lone field goal she scored. In the third period, the last-seeded WNBA team matched the Liberty’s 16 apiece in the quarter. Jones’ Liberty went into the final quarter with a comfortable 19-point lead over their opponents.

However, the Mercury erased the 19-point deficit to 72-64 with 6:01 left in the game following an 11-0 run. Stewart stopped the unanswered run, hitting a free throw followed by a field goal from Liberty forward Betnijah Laney. Despite a fourth quarter push by the Mercury, the New York team held onto their double-digit advantage leading to their bounce back win.

Although the Liberty are 6-3 in their last 10 games and are enjoying a relatively good start to the season, Jones has had some struggles. However, the forward seems to be headed in the right direction after Sunday’s second highest point total and season-high in rebounds translated to her first double double of the year. Jones and the Liberty will look to keep the early season momentum going and take the edge in the season series versus the Atlanta Dream this Friday. The Liberty will take on the Dream for the third time this month at 7pm in the Gateway Center. Both teams will be eager for the win after splitting victories in the last two weeks.