WASHINGTON – Tina Charles wasn't about to let the New York Liberty's WNBA season end.

Charles scored 17 of her 22 points in the third quarter to help the Liberty beat the Washington Mystics 86-68 on Sunday and even their best-of-three Eastern Conference semifinals series at one game apiece.

"I just wasn't satisfied the way I played the first half," Charles said. "I thought I could have played smarter. Once I saw a couple of shots go in, I just got confidence and kept attacking. ... So I just kept attacking; I was in a zone and I played like it was my last."

Charles hit shots from all over the court in the third quarter, including a three-pointer. She helped New York extend a seven-point halftime lead to 18 by the end of the third quarter.

Washington, which never led in the game, couldn't get much closer in the final quarter.

"I only have one word — 'embarrassing' — so go ahead," said Washington coach Mike Thibault with a short opening comment after his team was overwhelmed inside by the Liberty 36-10.

Tayler Hill led the Mystics with 19 points, hitting six three-pointers — five of them in the first half.

Associated Press