Bewerbungen » , and has now extended his stay at the Sportsground until

NEW YORK -- Diana Taurasi tends to play her best when the most is on the line.The star guard scored 30 points and Brittney Griner added 22 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks to help the eighth-seeded Phoenix Mercury beat the No. 3 New York Liberty 101-94 on Saturday night. Taurasi is 13-3 in WNBA elimination games in her storied career, including a 6-0 mark on the road.Im not afraid of it. Its a challenge. Its fun, she said. When you go on the road, especially here at the Garden. These fans are so thirsty they want a championship so bad. We came in the underdog. Today was a whole lot of fun.The Mercury will head to Minnesota for the semifinals, which is a five-game series as opposed to the single elimination games that Phoenix won in the opening two rounds of the postseason.Its going to be hard. They are the best in the league right now, Taurasi said. They are the defending champs. We know what they do. They know what we do. Its going to be a battle of wills more than anything. Right now were finding our groove. Finding who we are.Just as they did during their first-round playoff game, Phoenix players Mistie Bass and Kelsey Bone kneeled during the playing of the national anthem . Liberty guard Brittany Boyd sat on the bench with her head bowed. She also said she did that in the final few games of the regular season.I dont want to stand up. I choose not to stand up and I sit down and pray, said Boyd, who wore a Colin Kaepernick jersey into the arena and had it hanging in her locker. Colin (Kaepernick) and his message about social injustice going on in this country today is something I believe needs change. This wasnt the first game I sat down for the national anthem. I dont agree with some of the stuff thats going on. This is me using my platform.With Phoenix clinging to a two-point lead early in the fourth quarter Taurasi scored five straight points in a 10-2 run that gave them an 84-76 advantage. New York refused to quit, hitting back-to-back 3s to get within 84-82. But thats as close as the Liberty could get as they came up empty on the next few possessions. New York trailed 90-86 with 1:29 left before Taurasi hit a 3-pointer from the wing, pumping her fists at midcourt after it swished through the net that virtually sealed the victory.Phoenix was in control in the first half as the Mercury led by 15 points in the second quarter thanks to the play of Penny Taylor, who finished with 20 points. Trailing 52-41 at the break, the Liberty opened the second half on a 13-2 run capped by Tina Charles 3-pointer to tie it at 54. They trailed 68-67 after three quarters and the game was tied at 74 after Epiphanny Princes 3-pointer with 7:23 left in the final period.Tanisha Wright scored 21 points and Tina Charles added 19 to lead New York. The loss also marked the end of Swin Cashs career. The 15-year WNBA player announced during the season that she would retire after the Libertys season ended.Its tough to completely reflect right now, but Im really proud of this team, Cash said. Took some bumps along the way, injuries. We set a really solid foundation on how hard you have to work and what it takes to get to that next level.---Follow Doug on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dougfeinberg Mark Duper Youth Jersey . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. Minkah Fitzpatrick Dolphins Jersey . Belfort (24-10) needed just 77 seconds to down Henderson in the headlining bout of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson" event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil. The fight served as a rematch of the pairs 2006 meeting, which Henderson won by decision. http://www.dolphinsrookiestore.com/Dolphins-Christian-Wilkins-Jersey/ . PAUL, Minn. Minkah Fitzpatrick Youth Jersey . 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Bundee Aki has edged closer to Test rugby with Ireland by rejecting a move to France to sign a new Connacht deal until 2020.Irelands highly-promising lock Ultan Dillane has also completed a two-year contract extension to remain at Connacht, in a big double-boost to boss Pat Lam.Auckland-born powerhouse Aki is understood to have rejected moves to Bordeaux and Munster, and will now qualify for Ireland on residency next year.Dillane is also thought to have fielded interest from Munster, but two of Connachts key stars have instead opted to remain with the reigning Guinness PRO12 champions.Im really pleased that Bundee and Ultan have committed their futures to Connacht Rugby, said head coach Lam, admitting both stars had fielded offers to move elsewhere.Two talented rugby players, naturally their performances have attracted a lot of attention and there is no doubt that they had options in terms of where they could play.But I believe it is a massive statement about what we are doing here as a team and an organisation that they were both so determined to continue to play their part.Former Chiefs centre Aki has lit up Connachts back division with his powerful line-breaking instincts since his 2014 arrival.The 26-year-old will add a bullish midfield edge to Irelands Test options once available next year after completing the three-year residency period.Home grown 22-year-old lock Dillane already boasts six Irelannd caps after bursting onto the senior scene in the last 18 months.ddddddddddddhe physical second row adds an extra dimension around the park to both Connacht and Ireland, and has now extended his stay at the Sportsground until 2019.Both Bundee and Ultan made it clear from the start that they were keen to stay and play their rugby with Connacht, said Connacht CEO Willie Ruane.They are truly committed to the overall vision for the province and their signatures are a big boost to the future of Connacht Rugby.Were delighted, for the two players and for our supporters, to be able to share this news.Aki insisted he now calls Connacht home after two years in the west of Ireland.The last two years with Connacht Rugby have been incredible, said Aki.I moved over here not really knowing what to expect but this place has become home to me and my family now.I am proud to be part of this Connacht team and Im excited to see what we can achieve together.Academy graduate Dillane admitted his eagerness to repay Connachts faith in guiding him through their ranks.Connacht Rugby has given me so many opportunities since I started in the academy and Im delighted to have signed on again, said Dillane.I am enjoying my rugby so much here and am excited about the future of this team and the province. 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