The playoff run for this New York Liberty team is over, as Cappie Pondexter and the rest of the squad fell in a first round knockout to the Indiana Fever by a final of 72-62 on Monday night. New York finished the night with 20 turnovers, which led to 26 Indiana points.

Normally a thorn in the side of the Fever, Pondexter shot just 15-for-44 in the series; meanwhile leading the ladies was Nicole Powell with 19 points. The ladies were outscored 21-7 from the free-throw line, and made it to within three points in the fourth quarter.

That was before Tamika Catchings cashed in-finishing the night with 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. The Fever were led by Katie Douglas-who has always had good games against the Liberty, as the guard/forward finished with a team-leading 21 points.

The Fever will now go on to host the Atlanta Dream on Thursday in the opener of the conference finals; in the season this year the Dream have won all four games against Indiana. That includes a victory in the finale on September 11.

As for the Liberty, the ladies maybe disappointed with the way this season ended-but should be very proud. The team has a great core of players coming back next year, with more seasoning and all around experience-which should take them ever closer to their goal of a WNBA Championship.

Written on September 20, 2011