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CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- The Cleveland Rockers seem to save their best for the New York Liberty. Chasity Melvin scored a franchise-record 30 points and Jennifer Rizzotti set another team mark with 14 assists as the Rockers extended their winning streak over the Liberty to four games with an 80-69 victory. Cleveland has won six of the last eight meetings with New York and has been particularly dominant at Gund Arena, where the Liberty are just 2-8 all-time. Despite losing three of their first four home games this season, the Rockers continued their mastery of New York. The Liberty have not won in Gund Arena since July 8, 1999 and have not beaten the Rockers since August 8, 2000. Melvin made 12-of-16 shots and 6-of-7 free throws to eclipse her own club record of 28 points set on June 16, 2000. Rizzotti's 14 assists were two more than the previous franchise record set by Suzie McConnell Serio on July 2, 1998. The Rockers took the lead for good at 28-24 on a 3-pointer by Brandi McCain with 7:04 left in the first half. They had their largest lead, 69-53, after a three-point play by Melvin with 4:23 to play. Penny Taylor scored 15 points and Ann Wauters and Merlakia Jones added 10 and seven rebounds apiece for Cleveland, which shot 46 percent (30-of-66) and held a 32-25 rebounding edge. Vickie Johnson scored 19 points and Crystal Robinson had 17 for New York, which lost for the second time in three games despite shooting 50 percent (23-of-46). |
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