INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Fever reduced a 19-point deficit down to four in the second half, but fell for the second straight game to the New York Liberty, 73-65, in the 2021 regular season home opener at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Sunday was the first Fever regular season game played at The Fieldhouse in 616 days dating back to 2019.

New York matched its win total from 2020 by shooting out to a 31-18 lead in the first quarter behind an 11-of-19 shooting clip as a team and 11 points from Betnijah Laney.

The Fever defense stymied New York in the second quarter only allowing 10 points from the Liberty. Beginning at the 8:01 mark in the second quarter, New York did not make a field goal attempt for the next 10:01 of game time. The Liberty were held to just 9-of-25 shooting from beyond the arc in Sunday’s game.

Jantel Lavender anchored the Fever defense and pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds. Lavender, along with Teaira McCowan, combined for 25 of the 40 rebounds secured by the Fever on Sunday.

McCowan was ejected in the fourth quarter after picking up her second technical foul of the game.

Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever in scoring for the second game of the season with 16 points and two rebounds. Danielle Robinson found her way into double figures with 13 points and a game-high five assists.

Tiffany Mitchell led all bench scorers with 12 points and pulled down four rebounds.

UP NEXT
The Fever head out to Connecticut for a third straight Commissioner’s Cup game on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET. Wednesday’s game will be streamed on FeverBasketball.com and the Indiana Fever’s Facebook page. Fans may also watch on CBS Sports Network.