McBride has 15 points in 4th, Aces move into 8th-place tie

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A'ja Wilson had 18 of her 19 points in the first half, Kayla McBride scored all 15 of her points in the fourth quarter and the Las Vegas Aces beat the short-handed New York Liberty 85-72 on Wednesday night to move into a tie for the final playoff spot.

Las Vegas (14-18) and Dallas are tied for eighth — with a series meeting Friday in Texas. The Wings own the tiebreaker.

Las Vegas raced to a 31-10 lead, including a 16-0 run, in the first quarter and cruised into halftime with a 46-33 advantage. Wilson was 7-of-9 shooting in the first half and McBride was 0 for 5 from the field through the first three quarters.

Kia Nurse and Bria Hartley scored 14 points apiece for New York (7-25). Liberty scoring leader Tina Charles did not play because of back spasms. Shavonte Zellous, Amanda Zahui B. and Epiphanny Prince also sat out.

New York pulled within single digits, 62-53, at the end of the third quarter for the first time since 12-3.

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry sat courtside.