NEW YORK (AP) — After a disappointing start with the New York Liberty, Breanna Stewart just wanted to play better.
She did more than that, scoring a franchise-best 45 points, and New York beat Indiana 90-73 on Sunday, handing the Fever a 20th straight loss that matched the WNBA’s futility record.
Stewart had no idea she was close.
“I didn’t know that I had broken a record. I looked at the scoreboard at one point and I was 37,” Stewart said. “I was like, ‘I didn’t know what just happened.’ I wanted to be more aggressive after the last game… set the tone and be confident.
New York (1-1) lost its opener to Washington on Friday.
The Fever tied the Tulsa Shock, which lost 20 straight games 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 help but say what the story says,” Indiana guard Kelsey Mitchell said. “(It stinks) to be part of it. I feel that we are in transition and changing. I’m doing my best to build on that.
New York has rebuilt its team this offseason, adding Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Courtney Vandersloot to a strong young core led by Ionescu and Betnijah Laney. There are high expectations around the Liberty this season, although it will take some time for the team to establish chemistry.
Stewart, who also set a new career high for points, greeted the home opener ahead of the whistleblower saying it was great to be home.
The new line started New York early by scoring the first four baskets. Jones hit a lay-up, Stewart two 3-pointers and a reverse lay-up by Vandersloot as the Liberty raced out the door quickly.
By the end of the first quarter, Stewart had 19 points — five more than Indiana — and New York led 36-14. She made six of her seven shots during the period, including four 3-pointers.
Stewart finished the half with 29 points, short of the league record of 35 held by Riquna Williams.
New York led 62-35 at the break and never looked back.
The only real suspense of the second half was whether Stewart could beat the franchise’s 40-goal mark in a single game held by Cappie Pondexter also against Indiana in 2010.
Stewart broke that record on a three-point play with 2:13 left in the third quarter to give New York an 82-52 lead. She finished the game with 15 of 21 from the field, including hitting six 3-pointers. She was also 9-for-9 from the foul line and had 12 rebounds.
Despite the lopsided loss, there’s optimism surrounding the fever with the addition of No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston, who scored 15 points.
“I’d say there’s nothing but positivity around here right now,” said Fever sophomore forward NaLyssa Smith, who had 16 points and 12 rebounds. “Everyone is excited for our future.”
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