'X-factor' Spencer's shooting fuels bench rally by Liberty

Some extra practice paid off for former University of Tennessee player Sidney Spencer.

The New York Liberty’s reserve guard scored 12 of her 15 points in the fourth quarter to help the Liberty rally for a 77-70 victory over the Chicago Sky on Wednesday in Chicago.

Spencer hit three 3-pointers in a two-minute span late in the game.

I’ve been practicing, getting extra shots up,” Spencer told The Chicago Tribune. “I know the bench is a really important part. We call ourselves the ‘X-factor.’ I believe that’s our role. I was getting open shots and my teammates were finding me. I just tried to knock them down.”

The victory was the second straight and third in four games for the Liberty (6-8). Chicago (8-9) suffered its second home loss of the season and has now lost six of its last eight games.

The Sky led 67-61 with 5:53 left in regulation following a Kristi Toliver jumper. But the Liberty replied with an 11-0 run to take command, starting with Spencer’s first three-pointer at 5:17. Her second three-pointer with 3:37 left gave New York a 69-67 lead, its first since midway through the second quarter.

Dream 98, Shock 95: Ivory Latta scored 22 points, rookie Angel McCoughtry had 20, and visiting Atlanta beat defending champion Detroit.

Former UT center Michelle Snow had 16 points and 12 rebounds to help Atlanta (8-10) finish its five-game trip 2-3. Sancho Lyttle scored 14 points and former UT star Chamique Holdsclaw had 13.

Holdsclaw’s 3-pointer gave the Dream a 95-91 lead with 1:44 left in overtime.

Snow appeared to win the game with a hook shot at end of regulation. The shot was originally ruled good, but a video review showed it came just after the buzzer.