In the second meeting in 2009 between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky, the game started with the Fever on a 9-2 run reminiscent of the 30-point blowout in the teams' first two meetings.
The conclusion of the game however, was not so similar.
The Sky, who trailed by as many as 17, got to within seven with 1:56 left, but could not overcome the Fever's post combo of Tammy Sutton-Brown and Ebony Hoffman as the Sky fell 84-74 to the Fever Wednesday afternoon at the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
"We did a lot better today than we did the other night in Chicago, but we are still walking away with a loss, not matter how you look at it," said the Sky's Candice Dupree.
"We can feel better that we played better, but when it comes down to it, we have to win our games. We have to cut down on our turnovers."
Sutton-Brown (22 points, 4 rebounds) and Hoffman (18 points, 7 rebounds) combined for 40 points and 11 boards and contributed to Indiana (10-2) getting a 50-24 edge over the Sky (7-8) on points in the paint without the Sky's Sylvia Fowles dressed for the game.
"Today we got beat in the paint," said Dupree. "With Sylvia in the paint, opponents aren't as comfortable there, that is why we need her back."
Dupree led the Sky with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Kristi Toliver added 13 points, 10 of which coming after halftime.
Chen Nan got her fifth start of the season with Fowles out due to a right shoulder injury.
Nan started off hot, shooting 3-of-6 from the field for six points in the first quarter, but cooled off from there, finishing with 10 points and two rebounds.
After Dupree sunk a jumper to pull the Sky to within seven, Indiana's Tamika Catchings, who scored 16 points, had eight assists, eight rebounds and six steals, rebounded her own missed shot and put it back in to put the Fever up nine.
Katie Douglas followed that up with the last two of her 13 points to put the game out of reach for good.
The Sky turned the ball over 21 times to Indiana's 16. Indiana scored 25 points off the Sky's turnovers.
With the win the Fever extended their franchise-best winning streak to 10 games.
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