Leonie Fiebich and New York Liberty Face Elimination After Overtime Loss to Atlanta Dream
Liberty Face Elimination After Heartbreaking Overtime Loss
The New York Liberty and German national team player Leonie Fiebich find themselves with their backs to the wall in the WNBA playoffs.
A bruising 98-101 overtime defeat against the Atlanta Dream leaves the franchise down two games in the best-of-five series.
Marine Fauthoux Forces Overtime Against Atlanta
Entering the second matchup of the semifinal series, the New York Liberty aimed to rebound on the road in Atlanta. The visitors seized an early advantage by grabbing a seven-point lead midway through the first quarter. Yet, New York surrendered that margin before halftime and trailed continuously throughout the second half until the final moments of regulation.
A dramatic three-point field goal by WNBA newcomer Marine Fauthoux with just ten seconds left on the clock forced the game into an extra period. Fauthoux finished the contest with 20 points. Despite Breanna Stewart leading all scorers with 35 points for New York, the team could not secure the victory.
Defensive Lapses Cost New York in Overtime
German national player Leonie Fiebich contributed four points and five rebounds in the hard-fought matchup. Although New York briefly captured the lead during the extra session, two lapses in the closing seconds allowed Atlanta to pull away and seal the 101-98 win.
Shifting Back to New York for a Do-or-Die Game
With the result, the Liberty trail 0-2 in the series. Because the opening two games took place in Atlanta, the upcoming fixtures shift locations. A possible fourth game takes place in New York, where Fiebich and her teammates face an elimination scenario. Losing another game will entirely extinguish the franchise’s hopes of advancing to the WNBA Finals.
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