Stewart scores franchise-record 45 points as Liberty hand Fever WNBA record-tying 20th straight loss

Breanna Stewart scored a franchise-record 45 points and New York beat Indiana 90-73 on Sunday, handing the visiting Fever a 20th consecutive loss that matched the WNBA record for futility.

The Fever equalled the Tulsa Shock, who lost 20 straight games in 2011. Indiana lost 18 consecutive games to close out last season before falling to the Connecticut Sun on Friday in their opener. Indiana plays at Atlanta next Sunday.

New York rebuilt its team this off-season adding Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Courtney Vandersloot to a strong young core led by Ionescu and Betnijah Laney. There are high expectations surrounding the Liberty this season, although it will take some time for the team to build chemistry.

The new trio got New York going early as they scored the first four baskets. Jones hit a layup, Stewart two 3-pointers and a reverse layup by Vandersloot as the Liberty were quick out of the gate.

By the time the first quarter ended, Stewart had 19 points — five more than Indiana — and New York led 36-14. She made six of her seven shots in the period, including four 3-pointers.

HISTORY ‼<a href="https://twitter.com/breannastewart?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BreannaStewart</a> has officially notched a career-high and holds the new <a href="https://twitter.com/nyliberty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nyliberty</a> franchise record for points in a game