Liberty thumps Fever to even East semis
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Nicole Powell scored 19 points to lead a 72 win at the Prudential Center.
Plenette Pierson added 15 points and Cappie Pondexter chipped in 14 for New York, which bounced back from a 74-72 loss Thursday in Indiana to open the best-of-three series. The decisive third game is set for Monday in Indianapolis.
Katie Douglas scored 20 points and Shavonte Zellous added 13 for the Fever, who were outscored 42-27 during the second and third quarters.
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Indiana led by as many as five in the first quarter and took a 23-20 lead after the opening 10 minutes. The Fever still led by four two minutes into the second and it was tied at 34-34 midway through the period, but the Liberty ran off the next 10 points.
A Pierson hook put New York in front before Pondexter and Leilani Mitchell hit consecutive three-pointers. A driving layup by Powell made it 44-34 and the Liberty went to the break with a 50-41 edge.
New York led by as many as 13 in the third quarter and poured it on in the fourth, building the cushion to 24 at 85-61 on a pair of Powell free throws with just under two minutes to play.
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Essence Carson scored 12 points for New York, while Kia Vaughn rounded out the double figure scorers with 10.
Indiana star Tamika Catchings managed only two points, but grabbed a game-best nine rebounds. She made only 1-of-8 from the field.