LAS VEGAS — Jonquel Jones was in disbelief Wednesday night when she got whistled for a foul on NaLyssa Smith with 4:03 left in the fourth and the game tied at 72 apiece.
Jones was visibly frustrated. But even if the Liberty wanted to, they couldn’t challenge it. Sandy Brondello had unsuccessfully challenged a previous call moments earlier.
But these moments — the ones when a team’s back is against a wall — can be telling of a group’s true identity and toughness.
The Liberty’s effort and resilience has been questioned at times this season, including after Sunday’s loss to the Lynx.
But the Liberty, playing on the second night of a back-to-back, crumbled under the Aces applying pressure as the reigning champions fell 83-77.
Both teams remained within striking distance of one another for most of the night. Neither team led by more than seven points.
The Liberty had a two-point advantage to start the fourth.
The Aces, led by A’ja Wilson, proved to be the better team – at least for the night. They kept possessions alive and outrebounded the Liberty.
New York also committed four turnovers in the fourth quarter.
After Sunday, Emma Meesseman had been critical of her new team’s execution and failure to pay attention to details. And Cloud said opponents had been regularly trying to test New York’s toughness.
After the Liberty failed the macho test in Sunday’s loss against the Lynx, Cloud said she was excited to see how the team responded to the next opportunity.
But on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after beating the Sparks in Los Angeles, the Liberty faltered once again.
Wilson, who had made history just a few nights prior with a 32-point, 20-rebound effort against the Sun, had 17 points and 16 rebounds against the Liberty.
Emma Meesseman led the Liberty with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
Jones, who spent most of the night battling Wilson, finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
