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The Las Vegas Aces defeated the New York Liberty (6-5) Tuesday, June 15 from the Michelob Ultra Arena, 100-78, after a performance that resulted in a career-high from guard Kelsey Plum.
Off-the-bench, Plum led all scorers with 32 points, setting a new career-high in the process. She also had five rebounds and two assists while shooting 11-for-16 from the floor, including 3-for-5 from downtown.
This is a remarkable milestone for Plum who missed all last season with a torn Achilles.
In college, she became the NCAA all-time leading scorer with a sensational 57-point game for the University of Washington.
“College is different from the WNBA,” Plum explained in the post-game interviews.
She noted that her role is different on this team, on this night that included taking the shots that came her way.
“This won’t be the last time,” she added, hinting that there will be performances like this in the future.
She was so special that the Aces hardly needed reigning league-MVP A’ja Wilson, who finished with 10 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Center Liz Cambage dominated the paint, per usual. She scored 14 points to go along with 11 rebounds, marking her fourth double-double of the season.
With the win, the Aces now have the second-best record in the WNBA, at 9-3.
The New York Liberty were without rookie sensation Sabrina Ionescu, and it showed in the second half.
The Liberty got off to a good start, relying heavily on outside shots to take a 26-22 first quarter lead.
That’s when Plum and forward Dearica Hamby came off the bench to give the Aces some much-needed energy and productivity.
Las Vegas took a three-point lead into the half and never looked back.
Six different Aces players scored in the third, led by none other than Plum whose coast-to-coast floater banked in to beat the buzzer.
The fourth quarter was just a formality as Las Vegas was firmly in control. The home crowd willed them to their fourth 100-point scoring effort this season.
Next up for the Aces is a rematch with the Liberty from Michelob Ultra Arena on Thursday, June 17th.