Charles leads New York Liberty to 86-79 win over Indiana

Jun 9, 2015, 10:37 pm

NEW YORK -- Tina Charles scored 21 points, Essence Carson added 14 and the New York Liberty dominated the third quarter en route to an 86-79 win over the Indiana Fever on Tuesday night.

Tanisha Wright added 12 points and Kiah Stokes had 11 for the Liberty (2-1), who had 23 assists on 29 baskets.

Layshia Clarendon scored all of her career-best 14 points in the first half as the Fever took a 41-38 lead to the half. New York started the second half with a 20-4 run and led 62-53 entering the fourth quarter.

Carson had a three-point play to put the Liberty ahead for good, 45-43, two minutes into the third quarter. Shortly after that New York scored 11 straight, with Charles scoring four points, for a 58-45 lead.

Tamika Catchings, a nine-time All-Star, made her season debut after missing the first two games with a knee injury suffered prior to training camp and scored 13 points for Indiana (0-3). Natalie Achonwa, Lynetta Kizer and Shenise Johnson also had 13 points apiece.

The Fever started 0-3 last year, but made the playoffs. Marissa Coleman, who averaged 17 points in the first two games, finished with six.