Hammon connects from long range to lead Liberty

Becky Hammon scored a season-high 28 points and Elena Baranova added 23 — including seven in overtime — to lead the New York Liberty to a 77-71 victory over the Indiana Fever on Thursday night in New York.

Hammon shot 8 for 13 from the field, including 4 for 6 on 3-pointers to help the Liberty pull into a tie with Charlotte and Washington for second place in the Eastern Conference, one game behind Connecticut.

Natalie Williams had 18 points and eight rebounds, and Tamika Catchings and Kelly Miller scored 14 points apiece for the last-place Fever, who dropped 1 1/2 games behind the second-place teams.

Deanna Jackson scored 13 points and Miller also had a game-high seven assists for Indiana, which lost its third consecutive game despite shooting 47 percent (27 for 57).

After Williams gave Indiana a 60-58 lead with a pair of free throws with 47.8 seconds remaining in regulation, Bethany Donaphin sent the game into OT with a putback 19 seconds later.

Donaphin, who finished with 11 points, put New York ahead for good with a jumper 13 seconds into the extra period. The Liberty led by as many as seven points twice in overtime.

Monarchs 71, Comets 62: Tangela Smith totaled 17 points and six rebounds, and visiting Sacramento used a 12-0 run in the second half to eliminate Houston from playoff contention.

The Comets, who received 28 points from Tina Thompson, will not be a part of the postseason for the first time in franchise history. The Monarchs moved into a tie with idle Phoenix for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Both teams have two games remaining.

Houston played most of the game without forward Sheryl Swoopes, who sprained her left ankle.

Yolanda Griffith added 16 points for the Monarchs, who eliminated the Comets from the playoffs a year ago. The Monarchs had lost three in a row on the road.

Houston led 35-33 at halftime, and extended its advantage when Thompson hit a 3-pointer early in the second half. But the Monarchs countered with their decisive run.

The Monarchs took an 8-2 lead before the teams traded baskets for most of the first half.

Trailing 17-12, the Comets responded with a 10-4 run to take a 22-21 lead with 7:50 left in the half.