New York ? On the brink of elimination, the New York Liberty used torrid offense to force a decisive Game 3 in the WNBA Eastern Conference finals.

The Liberty shot 71 percent in the first half and contained the league’s leading scorer, Chamique Holdsclaw, as they defeated the Washington Mystics 96-79 Saturday night before a crowd of 13,851 at Madison Square Garden.

The Liberty return to the Garden on Sunday, hoping to advance to their fourth WNBA Finals in the league’s six-year history. The winner will play the defending champion Los Angeles Sparks, who swept the Utah Starzz with a 103-77 win in the Western Conference final Saturday.

Tari Phillips scored 15 of her 23 points in the first half and finished 11-for-13 from the field, scoring on driving layups and inside spin moves. Tamika Whitmore also had 23 points for the Liberty, 7-for-8 from 3-point range.

New York limited Holdsclaw to a quiet 14 points and just two rebounds, and she sat out the final seven minutes with the game out of hand. She averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds in the regular season.

The Liberty defense, which roughed up Indiana’s rookie of the year Tamika Catchings in the first-round series, flattened Holdsclaw five minutes into the second half. She landed face down under the Mystics’ basket as her teammates run upcourt. It was that kind of night for Holdsclaw, who finished 4-for-10 from the field.

Phillips then made an off-balance one-hander and Whitmore sank consecutive layups for a 66-47 cushion.

Washington was outscored 48-26 in the paint. Reserve Helen Luz led the Mystics with 16 points and Tonya Washington added 11. Vickie Johnson had 18 points on 6-for-8 shooting for the Liberty.

Ahead 84-59 with seven minutes left, New York coach Richie Abubato went to his bench.

New York opened 36-21 lead with seven minutes left in the first half on consecutive 3-pointers by Johnson. Holdsclaw’s jumper cut the lead to 10 points, but Phillips’ layup, two free throws by Whitmore another 3-pointer by Johnson extended the Liberty cushion to 46-31.

Luz scored the Mystics’ final eight points including two 3-pointers.