Stewart makes history in Liberty home debut

UConn women’s basketball great Breanna Stewart staged a historic performance in her Brooklyn debut as a member of the New York Liberty.

Stewart had 45 points on 15 of 21 shooting in Sunday’s 90-73 win over the Indiana Fever. She also had 12 rebounds and set the franchise record for points in a game.

After signing with New York as a celebrated free agent in the offseason, Stewart has been under the microscope as the face of a WNBA title favorite.

But the player with four NCAA titles and two WNBA titles seized the moment in her first performance in front of her home crowd.

“You couldn’t ask for it to be any better,” Stewart told reporters after the game. “The support, the outcome. … Yes, the 45 points is great, but if I didn’t score 45 points and we still had the win and the same fan engagement, that’s what we want.

“That’s what shows that I made the right decision in coming here. We’re here to win, obviously. But we’re here to also push the needle.”

Consider the needle pushed.

Let’s break down Stewart’s NYC debut.

UConn Club

Stewart was 6 of 9 on 3pointers, so she became the second player in WNBA history with 45 or more points, 10 or more rebounds, and six or more 3pointers in one game.

The other? Maya Moore, who sits next to Stewart on UConn’s Mount Rushmore.

Sounds familiar

Speaking of UConn, what’s Geno Auriemma’s most memorable quote? There are many, of course, but his description of Diana Taurasi is near the top: “We got Diana and they don’t.”

Let’s give props to Liberty coach Sandy Brondello for riffing on Geno’s line during her postgame

Elsa/Getty Images The New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart celebrates after a 3-pointer against the Fever at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Sunday. Stewart scored a franchise record 45 points in a 90-73 win.