Mabrey, Reese help Chicago beat New York 90-81, a win for coach Weatherspoon against former team

NEW YORK (AP) — Teresa Weatherspoon said she'll always be “Liberty for life.”

Her homecoming to New York was special for the first-year Chicago Sky coach as her team came away with a win.

Marina Mabrey had 21 points, seven assists and six rebounds to help the Sky beat the Liberty 90-81 on Thursday night.

“This was was really for her,” said Chicago guard Dana Evans, who added 12 points. “We really wanted this for her more than anything.”

Weatherspoon starred as a player for the Liberty in the WNBA’s early days from 1997-2003. She helped New York reach the finals in three of the league’s first four years. She was the heart and soul of those teams and adored by the crowds at Madison Square Garden.

Many of those fans from more than 20 years ago attended Thursday night at the Barclays Center, wearing Weatherspoon's No. 11 jersey.

“I know those fans in there,” Weatherspoon said. “I know them, I know a lot of the faces. There was a connection. ... There's a lot of love that we have for each other and I would lead by saying how much I love them and appreciate them and nothing will ever change that. Nothing.”

The coach was honored with a loud ovation in pregame introductions and again when the Liberty played a tribute video midway through the first quarter.

“I'm going to show my love for them and show my appreciation to everyone in New York City,” Weatherspoon said. “I hope you see this and know I love you all very much from the bottom of my heart, me and my family.”

Angel Reese added 13 points and nine rebounds for the Sky (2-1).

New York (4-1) led 68-67 early in the fourth quarter before Mabrey and Reese spurred a 19-7 run to give Chicago an 86-75 lead. Reese then had a three-point play with 2:18 left that put the game away.

“Confidence builder, if anything,” Mabrey said of the win. “This league is so tough. We’re going to turn around and play Connecticut (next). Appreciate this tonight then tomorrow hits.”

Sabrina Ionescu scored 19 points while Breanna Stewart added 18 points and 10 rebounds for New York, which was off to its best start since the 2007 season.

Stewart missed all four of her shot attempts in the first half while Jonquel Jones was saddled with foul trouble. The Sky built a 40-32 halftime lead behind Mabrey, who scored 12 in the half.

New York trailed by double digits in the third quarter before Stewart led a rally for a brief lead.

Chicago was missing Isabelle Harrison (knee), Diamond DeShields (foot) and Kamilla Cardoso (shoulder). Weatherspoon said she expected to have DeShields and Cardoso back soon.

Sky: Play their first home game of the season on Saturday when they host Connecticut.

Liberty: Travel to Minnesota to play the Lynx on Saturday.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

New York Liberty coach Sandy Brondello calls out to the team during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Chicago Sky, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Chicago Sky's Angel Reese (5) defends against New York Liberty's Kennedy Burke (2) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, May 23, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Liberty's Courtney Vandersloot (22) drives past Chicago Sky's Elizabeth Williams (1) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, May 23, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives past Chicago Sky's Lindsay Allen (15) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, May 23, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Liberty's Courtney Vandersloot (22) shoots from between Chicago Sky's Dana Evans (11) and Angel Reese, left, during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, May 23, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Liberty's Courtney Vandersloot, center, looks to pass the ball as Chicago Sky's Elizabeth Williams, right, and Dana Evans defend during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, May 23, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Liberty's Breanna Stewart (30) defends against Chicago Sky's Angel Reese (5) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, May 23, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Chicago Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon calls out to players during the first half of the team's WNBA basketball game against the New York Liberty, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Chicago Sky's Marina Mabrey (4) shoots over New York Liberty's Courtney Vandersloot (22) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, May 23, 2024, in New York. The Sky won 90-81. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — Taylor Pendrith shot a 7-under 64 on Friday to take a two-stroke lead over Matt NeSmith into the weekend in the 3M Open.

Playing in windier afternoon conditions, Pendrith made a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-4 16th and tapped in for another birdie on the par-5 18th. He had a 12-under 130 total at the TPC Twin Cities, playing the first 36 holes without a bogey.

The 33-year-old Canadian won the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May in Texas for his first PGA Tour title. He tied for fifth last week in the Barracuda Championship in California.

“Today was pretty tricky with the wind, it was blowing pretty hard at times, so my speed was great all day and stayed really patient," Pendrith said. “I didn’t really have many good looks through the first hour I would say of golf and was able to stay patient and make a couple, made a couple longer ones, which was nice.”

NeSmith had a 64 in the morning before wind gusts topping 20 mph hit the course in the afternoon and early evening.

Seeking his first PGA Tour victory, NeSmith lost in a playoff two weeks ago at the ISCO Championship in Kentucky, his lone top-10 finish in 20 prior starts this season. He has missed 11 cuts.

“Patience is key out here whether it be to win golf tournaments, to make cuts, to try and keep your card to try and get in the top 30,” NeSmith said. “I think it pertains to each and every person out here. You never know when you’re going to get hot, you never know when good golf’s coming. Just kind of try and be patient, try and keep calmer heads and you never know what will happen.”

First-round leader Jacob Bridgeman had a 70 to drop three strokes back at 9 under with Andrew Putnam (66). Doug Ghim (64), Lanto Griffin (66), Alex Smalley (65) and Jhonattan Vegas (66) were 8 under.

“I felt like anything under par today was pretty good, especially in the afternoon,” said Bridgeman, one of the last players to tee off Friday. “The wind was blowing really hard in the beginning of the round, caught a little bit of a lull at the end, which was nice. But greens were kind of bumpy from all the traffic. … I stayed patient all day, didn’t really have a whole lot of great chances.”

The event is the second-to-last tournament before the FedEx Cup playoffs begin, with some players near the 70-player cutoff failing to advance to the weekend. Nick Dunlap (64th in the standings), Luke List (71st) and defending champion Lee Hodges (73rd) missed the cut.

Jacob Bridgeman walks on the 10th tee during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Stewart Cink watches his tee shot on the 10th hole during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Kurt Kitayama watches his tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Lanto Griffin watches his tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Andrew Putnam watches his tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Matt NeSmith walks off the 18th green after his putt during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Matt NeSmith watches his tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Taylor Pendrith lines up his putt on the 18th green during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Taylor Pendrith putts on the 18th green during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)