Fever Tie Series At 1-1 With Win Over Liberty

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Tamika Catchings had 17 points and 13 rebounds to help the Indiana Fever beat the New York Liberty 75-67 on Sunday to level their best-of-three Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Catchings, who was selected the league's defensive player of the year earlier in the day, helped the Fever fight off elimination and earn one more chance to defend their Eastern Conference crown. Game 3 is Wednesday at New York, with the winner advancing to face Atlanta in the conference finals.

New York had won 12 of its previous 13 games, but the Fever held the Liberty to 37 percent shooting. Essence Carson scored 24 points and Cappie Pondexter had 20 for the Liberty.

The Fever had lost four straight, including the series opener Thursday at New York.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.