WATCH: Analyzing Grace Berger's WNBA Career-High Night With Indiana Fever
After starring for five years in Bloomington for head coach Teri Moren, Indiana Hoosier legend Grace Berger scored a WNBA career high 15 points for the Indiana Fever in the team's final game before the All-Star break.
Prior to her 15-point outburst, Berger had not eclipsed even five points in a game, nor had she ever played more than 16 minutes in a game. But facing one of the WNBA's top contenders in the New York Liberty, Berger came in and excelled immediately, giving Fever head coach Christie Sides the confidence to keep the rookie in for a career high 36 minutes of play.
"She gives it her all every time she steps on the court, so it's great to see her in a game like today, being able to showcase what she can do," said Berger's teammate Emma Cannon.
"I'm very happy for G-baby [G-baby is the team's nickname for Berger], and the whole team is, and we just hope that going down the stretch, coming in after All-Star [break], she just continues."
The aggression was the major difference for Berger in her career night. Emboldened with playing time more than double anything she had seen to that point in the WNBA season, Berger got back to her off the dribble scoring game that worked so well in Bloomington.
The all-time winningest player in the history of Indiana basketball also flashed her improved passing skills in her performance for the Fever.
Most think of Berger first as a scorer, but after starting at the point guard position for the Hoosiers during the 2022-23 season, it's clear that she developed an improved feel for the game and how to read defenses before dissecting them with pristine passes.
Despite the Fever falling to the Liberty 95-87 in overtime, Berger stuffed the stat sheet with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Berger and the Fever return from the All-Star break and back to WNBA action today at 11:30 a.m. ET to take the Washington Mystics. The game can be watched on WNBA League Pass, or on the Indiana Fever's Facebook page.
Additionally, on July 30, the Fever will be taking on the Seattle Storm at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and will be handing out Fever x IU co-branded as a part of their IU Hat Night promotion.
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