INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Fever opened their 20^th season at home with a 92-77 win against the New York Liberty. The Fever ran out of the gates to start the game, going on an 11-0 run and establishing a lead that they did not surrender on their way to a double-digit victory and their second win over New York in eight days.

The Fever had an all-around offensive effort, as all active players scored. They were led by guard Kelsey Mitchell who scored 23 points on 5-7 shooting from behind the arc. Tiffany Mitchell chipped in 11 off the bench and Erica Wheeler added 10 points and six assists for Indiana. Rookie Paris Kea added 10 points of her own in the victory.

Indiana held forward Tina Charles to 15 points on 6-17 shooting, just eight days after the nine-year veteran scored 32 against the Indiana defense.

“It started with Candice Dupree,” said Fever head coach Pokey Chatman. “Putting [Charles] in uncomfortable spots, she got off the block… made her kick the basketball out. When they did that, we had the next layer of the defense. That’s the stuff we talk about – scrambling and multiple efforts – but it started with the vets and continued with everyone that touched the floor.”

The Liberty also received contributions from guard Kia Nurse who scored 14, rookie Asia Durr added 12. Amanda Zahui B and Reshanda Gray both chipped in 11 for the visitors.

The Liberty were able to cut into the early Indiana lead for a moment, as Tina Charles scored five of New York’s first seven points as the Fever led 15-7. Indiana didn’t let off the gas, exploding for 11 straight points that gave Indiana a 26-7 lead to end the opening quarter.

“It’s everything,” said Chatman on Indiana’s first quarter defensive effort. “It’s what we’ve talked about since we got here. I think some key players, obviously the maturity of some of our veterans understanding schemes, and also the aggressiveness of additional players. You look at Betnijah [Laney], sometimes she doesn’t score the basketball, but she is such a beast in her ability to move around and elevate everyone else. She’s getting a deflection and then everyone else wants to get a deflection. That’s the dirt work we’re going to need until we gain some experience and play a little bit better on the offensive end of the floor.”

After scoring eight points in the first quarter, Wheeler became just the 12^th player in Fever franchise history to score 1,000 points. Wheeler also registered her 100^th career steal during the contest.

“It’s amazing,” said Wheeler. “To be undrafted… it just shows that I work hard. Nothing is given, I earn everything. It’s amazing to be in Indiana to do it.”

After shooting 2-22 from the field in the first, New York came out more fluid offensively in the second, doubling their point total within the first two minutes of the quarter. Despite the New York run, Indiana remained composed as the veteran Dupree scored six quick points midway through the quarter to help Indiana maintain their strong lead.

Indiana shot a blistering 19-30 from the field in the first half (63%) and held New York to just 9-41 from the field (22%). The all-around performance by the Fever gave them a 45-29 lead heading into the half time break.

Indiana blew the game open in the third quarter, as their lead grew to as many as 28 with a score of 70-42. Kelsey Mitchell did the bulk of the damage for Indiana, scoring 14 points in the frame including four three-point field goals.

The third quarter concluded with Indiana expanding their lead, 73-47.

New York chipped away at the Indiana lead late into the fourth quarter, cutting their deficit to 15 midway through the final frame. However, the Fever did not allow the visitors to close in any more than that and emerged with the double-digit win.

With the win, the Fever secured their second win in three tries in 2019. In 2018, it took Indiana 18 games to reach their second victory of the season.

“Our approach is different,” said Kelsey Mitchell. “We know what it’s like to lose. I don’t think anybody wants to feel that. Our approach kind cares of everything in itself – defense and offense – everything that goes into playing basketball. We approach it with the mindset to where we want to win.”

Indiana will look to continue to add to their win total in a matchup with the Dallas Wings next Friday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Postgame Interviews

Fever head coach Pokey Chatman spoke with the media following Indiana’s 92-77 win over the New York Liberty on Saturday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Erica Wheeler spoke about hitting 1,000 career points as an un-drafted player and her definition of dirty work.

Kelsey Mitchell spoke about her support system, her individual improvement from last season, and the team’s mindset for this season.