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Kristi, Kraayeveld, and other WNBA weekend wonders

 On Saturday, New York edged the Atlanta Dream 71-69 on free throws by a struggling Cathrine Kraayeveld. Kraayeveld only averages 8.2 points per game as starting forward for the Liberty. Kia Vaughn matched that in only 10 minutes of play on Saturday – and she can run the floor. Maybe head coach Pat Coyle will eventually see the potential Vaughn has. Until then I guess we’ll be seeing a lot more missed three pointers and bad defense on the part of Kraayeveld. Don’t get me wrong. She did win the game for New York. But the Liberty probably wouldn’t have been in that situation if Coyle knew how to scout a team. New York missed as many layups as three-point attempts and did another lousy job running the offense. Coyle only runs two plays no matter what team she’s facing, making for an easy scouting report. New York’s win on Saturday felt like a ‘what the hell was that’ rather than a triumph– at least it did for me.

 

Minnesota narrowly defeated the San Antonio Silver Stars 83-76 on Sunday. The Lynx, allowed the Stars to close its 14 point deficit to seven with late-game bungled plays and turnovers in which the Silver Stars were able to capitalize. Renee Montgomery sealed the deal with a three point shot with 1:31 left to give Minnesota a ten point lead. Roneeka Hodges, who spent four years in anonymity with the Houston Comets, finished the game with 21 points and Charde Houston added another 26. With the loss by Seattle on Sunday, Minnesota is back in second place. Not bad for a team without their leading scorer.

 

Speaking of the Storm, Chicago broke Seattle’s 15-game home winning-streak on Sunday. Kristi Toliver, the Sky’s top draft pick, played some major minutes for the first time all season. She finished the game with a career-high 22 points and seven assists. Sue Bird uncharacteristically hit only one field goal all game, scoring four points.

 

In other contests, Katie Smith hit a jumper in overtime against the Connecticut Sun to give the Shock its third win of the season on Saturday. The defending champions still sit in the bottom of the eastern conference. Also, Phoenix pulled out a win over the last place Monarchs with a buzzer beater by Temeka Johnson to remain in the top spot in the west.

 

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Sparks will be facing the Connecticut Sun at 7 pm EST.