WNBA New York Liberty

Liberty Tops Fever, 75-68

June 5, 2013 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
New York Liberty News Release


Team Notes:

− The Liberty played their second-straight overtime game, knocking off defending WNBA Champion Indiana Fever 75-68 to improve to 2-1 on the season. New York is now 2-0 in overtime games.

− The Liberty erased a 16-point deficit en route to the win. It marked the most points the team has trailed this season.

− New York outrebounded an opponent for the first time this season, holding a 33-30 edge against the Fever

− New York moved 2-0 when scoring 70 points or more and holding its opposition to below 70.

− The Liberty have outscored opponents in the paint in each of the first three games this season, including outpacing Indiana 32-28.

Player Notes:

− Essence Carson scored a season-high 21 points, her eighth career 20-point game. It marks the second time this season that she led the team in scoring and second-straight game.

− Alex Montgomery topped her career highs in both scoring and rebounding with 13 points and seven boards off the bench.

− With four points against the Fever, Katie Smith is now six points away from second place on the WNBA all-time scoring list.

Team Schedule:

− The Liberty will return to action on Friday, June 7 when they travel to face the Atlanta Dream at 7:30 p.m. at Philips Arena.

Post-Game Quotes:

New York Liberty Head Coach Bill Laimbeer

On the overall performance:

"We played very hard on defense. It is just that we have to be more patient on offense and execute and we didn't do any of that in the first half."

On defense:

"I love our defense; we are very solid. We made a couple small adjustments. We rotated somebody to [Catchings and Zellous], not giving them the open looks. We continued to play our shell defense, no drives. More importantly we started getting rebounds. We are athletic and we are learning everyday. The goal is to play our hard nose defense and find a way to score.

On the play of Essence Carson:

"Essence has been playing very well since she hit training camp. We defined her role and what is expected of her. Both defensively and offensively and I couldn't be happier with her right now. She is very confident offensively going to the basket and her shot. On defense has always been solid."

Liberty guard Cappie Pondexter

On defense:

Our defense is solid and at the end of the day that's what were going to rely on all season; that's our practice. Katie Smith did an unbelievable job with [Tamika] Catchings at the four so when you shut down a player like that and force everyone to make tough shots, it's good.

Liberty forward Essence Carson

On the play of Cappie:

Cappie was able to get us into our sets faster today. We were having a lot of turnovers and we were out of sync so once we were able to slow things down and execute things, it started to go well for us.

Liberty guard Leilani Mitchell

On overall performance:

We came out sluggish in the first quarter, kind of the whole first half to be honest. Second half we started executing better, playing better defense. We took it to overtime and were able to come out with the win. Just having [the veterans'] presence on the court, on the bench, helping, teaching, it's just nice to have someone in your ear. They're always under control so I think it gives a calming affect to the rest of the team so it's really helpful.

On Coach Laimbeer:

We're still building our chemistry and getting familiar with everything and were happy to have him here. He's a great coach, he really knows [his offense and defense]; he gets us to play hard.

Indiana Fever Head Coach Lin Dunn

On team's performance:

"We made some stupid mistakes and had some bad fouls. We just need to make some open shots; we had the chance to score but we just passed it off. Everyone is going to have problems and you just need to do the best you can. We had a foul at the end when Cappie scored. The people on our bench need to take it up to the next level. Our five starters can't win ball games by themselves. I was very proud of [Layshia] Clarendon. This is her first time starting a WNBA game and she got a lot more comfortable in the second half."

On the Liberty:

"They're a much more physical team, when you add Katie Smith to the mix. She's going to be physical in crunch time and set the tone defensively. I also am liking the way Essence Carson is playing as well"

On Coach Laimbeer coming back to the Liberty:

"I'm thrilled to have him back in the league; he makes the league better. I never understood why he didn't have the chance to be a coach in the NBA. He's going to really do great things with the Liberty.

Fever forward Tamika Catchings

On team's Performance:

"I think we beat ourselves and put them on the free throw line too much. We kept fouling them in the third quarter and our defense does not do that often. We're known for our defensive intensity and we need to get a lot better with fouls."

On team's rash of injuries

"We need to play with the people we have here; I think everyone stepped up on the court and did a good job. We just have to fight through it."

Check out the New York Liberty Statistics



Women's National Basketball Association Stories from June 5, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central