Liberty squeeze out win over Wings for third straight victory after complacency nearly cost them

DALLAS – The Liberty looked so much better to start Friday’s game against the Wings than the last time they were at College Park Center.

The ball was humming and the team was in sync. The Liberty’s starters scored 42 of the team’s 50 points in the first half and led by 16 at the break. 

But Sandy Brondello can’t be thrilled by what happened in the second half.

New York’s complacency reared its ugly head in the third quarter and at one point in the fourth. 

The game got too close — at least for a moment — but the Liberty managed to survive, beating Dallas 88-77.

The Wings, who were without star rookie Paige Bueckers (back), outscored the Liberty 23-14 in the third quarter and cut New York’s 18-point lead down to three at one point.

But the Liberty, led by Jonquel Jones, Leonie Fiebich and Sabrina Ionescu, got it together early in the fourth and managed to keep the Wings at bay to capture their third straight win.

Emma Meesseman helped the Liberty get off to a strong start. In the first half, she had 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and a blocked shot. She faded in the second half.

The Liberty had six players finish with 10 or more points, including Fiebich who fouled out late in the fourth but finished with 14 points.

New York (20-10) is set to host the Lynx Sunday in Brooklyn before embarking on a three-game road trip out west.