NEW YORK (AP) — After a disappointing debut with the New York Liberty squad, Breanna Stewart just wanted to play better.
It did more than that, scoring a franchise-record 45 points, and New York beat Indiana 90-73 on Sunday, giving the Fever a 20-straight loss that matched the WNBA record for futility.
Stewart had no idea she was so close to the scoring mark.
“I didn’t know I had broken any records. I looked at the scoreboard at one time and I had 37,” Stewart said. “I was like, ‘I didn’t know what just happened.'” I wanted to be more aggressive after the last match… set the tone and be confident. “
New York (1-1) lost its opening game to Washington on Friday.
The Fever tied the Tulsa Shock, who lost 20 in a row in 2011. Indiana lost 18 straight games to close out last season before falling to the Connecticut Sun on Friday in their opener. Indiana plays in Atlanta next Sunday.
“I can’t stop what history says,” said Indiana State Guard Kelsey Mitchell. “(The stink) to be a part of it. I feel like we’re in transition and changing. I’m doing my best to build on that.”
New York has rebuilt its squad this off-season, adding Stewart, Jonquil Jones and Courtney Vandersloot, into a strong young core led by Ionescu and Betnya Lani. There are high expectations around Liberty this season, though it will take some time for the team to build chemistry.
Stewart, who also scored a new high of points in his career, welcomed the home-opening crowd before being tipped off saying it was great to be home.
The freshman trio got New York going early as they scored their first four baskets. Jones hit a layup, Stewart two threes and a reverse by Vandersloot while Liberty was fast out of the gate.
By the time the first quarter was over, Stewart had earned 19 points—five more than Indiana—and New York was leading 36-14. She made six of her seven shots in the period, including four three-pointers.
Stewart finished the half with 29 points, 35 short of the record set by Rejona Williams.
New York led 62-35 in the second half and hasn’t looked back.
The only real suspense in the second half was whether Stewart could break the one-game scoring mark of 40 held by Cappy Bondexter that was also set against Indiana in 2010.
Stewart broke that record on a three-point play with 2:13 left in the third quarter to put New York up 82-52. She finished the game and moved 15 of 21 from the field, including hitting six three-pointers. She was also 9-for-9 from the foul streak and grabbed 12 rebounds.
Despite the lopsided loss, there is optimism about Fever with the addition of top seed pick Aliyah Boston who scored 15 points.
“I would say there is nothing but positivity here right now,” said Nalisa Smith, second-year Phifer forward, who scored 16 points and 12 rebounds. “Everyone is excited about our future.”
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