New York, NY (AHN) - The New York Liberty snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 71-66 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday night.

Erin Thorn drained three free throws with 16.3 seconds remaining, lifting the Liberty to their first victory since July 8.

Cathrine Kraayeveld scored 16 points and Janel McCarville added 14 for New York (11-15), which is just a half-game behind Chicago for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

"You have to be able to win the ugly ones," Thorn said. "It's always a big confidence builder when you can get over that hump. We felt we've been so close lately. Now, we finally got one."

Seimone Augustus scored 17 points and Svetlana Abrosimova added 14 for the Lynx (7-21), who trailed by 17 points late in the third period before going on a 12-0 run. Kraayeveld's jumper and Thorn's lay-up with 5;15 remaining pushed the Liberty's lead to nine points.

"People are going to make a run at you," Liberty coach Pat Coyle said. "You have to withstand the run, keep your wits about you, and continue to do the things that got you the lead."

Minnesota is 0-20 this season when trailing after three quarters.

In other WNBA action:

Phoenix 84, San Antonio 79

Diana Taurasi scored 24 points to lead the Mercury (18-10), who overcame a seven-point second-half deficit to take sole possession of first place over the Silver Stars (16-10).

Taurasi had a big second-half, scoring 19 points and finishing the game with six 3-pointers. Cappie Pondexter added 18 points for Phoenix, and Kelly Miller and Tangela Smith both chipped in with 12.

Shanna Crossley scored a career-high 21 points, all on 3-pointers, for the Silver Stars. Shophia Young added 17 points, Becky Hammon 13 and Ruth Riley had 11 points with nine rebounds for San Antonio.