UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) -Amber Holt scored 11 of her 18 points in the fourth quarter and overtime and the Connecticut Sun kept their playoffs hopes alive with an 88-85 victory over the New York Liberty on Friday night.
The loss eliminated New York (12-19) from playoff contention.
Anete Jekabsone-Zogota tied her career high with 23 points and had seven rebounds and four assists for the Sun (15-17). Holt added six rebounds and five assists, and Lindsay Whalen had 16 points, seven assists and five rebounds.
The Sun snapped a five-game losing streak, playing their ninth straight game without leading scorer Asjha Jones (Achilles' tendon).
``I just aged 10 years,' Sun coach Mike Thibault said after coaching his team in a franchise-record sixth overtime game this season. ``But nothing about this team surprises me anymore.'
Shameka Christon led New York with 22 points, and Essence Carson had 16.
``Breakdowns,' New York coach Anne Donovan said. ``We had turnovers.'
Connecticut trailed by nine points with 4:49 left in regulation, then held New York scoreless the rest of the quarter.
``We had to dig down deep and play defense,' Holt said.
Holt converted a steal into a layup with 1:21 left in overtime to give Connecticut the lead for good at 82-80. She followed with a 3-pointer to make it 85-80 with 36.4 seconds left. New York crept within one with 8.9 seconds left when Christon was fouled shooting a 3-pointer and made all three free throws.
Whalen made two free throws for Connecticut with 7.2 seconds left, and New York's Sidney Spencer missed a 3-pointer as time ran out. ``You can't say we haven't given effort,' Whalen said. ``This team has been pretty good at staying with it.'
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