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Phillips, Fever squeak past Liberty in Game 1

Sep 16, 2011 - 2:33 AM Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - Erin Phillips only scored six points Thursday night, but the last two couldn't have been more important.

Phillips hit a step-back jumper with 1.5 seconds remaining to lift the Indiana Fever to a 74-72 win over the New York Liberty in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

While Phillips hit the winning shot, star forward Tamika Catchings was the one who gave her the chance.

With the shot clock turned off and the game clock ticking past 20 seconds, Catchings stripped Liberty guard Cappie Pondexter near the sideline, forcing a turnover.

At the other end, Phillips dribbled on Essence Carson near the foul line and stepped just inside of it, leaning back for a shot that rattled around the rim and off the backboard before falling in.

Pondexter had a chance to win it for New York on a set play, but her long straighaway three-pointer hit off the backboard as time expired.

Katie Douglas scored 25 points to lead the top-ranked Fever, who lost five of their last seven games in the regular season but still came out atop the East with a 21-13 record.

Catchings, back after missing the regular season finale with a right knee strain, added 15 points and Tammy Sutton-Brown scored 14.

Pondexter had 18 points for the fourth-seeded Liberty, who made a game of it after falling behind by as many as 15 points. Nicole Powell chipped in 12 points and Kia Vaughn had 10.

New York, which was 2-2 versus Indiana during the season and 19-15 overall, will host Game 2 on Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.