WNBA Indiana Fever

Fever Roll Over Mystics for First Home Win this Season

Published on June 13, 2023 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Indiana Fever News Release


INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Fever (3-6) triumphed over the Washington Mystics, 87-66, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday night. The first home win of the regular season marks Indiana's first win by at least 20 points since September 8, 2019 when the Fever defeated the Connecticut Sun, 104-76.

Rookie center Aliyah Boston notched her third double-double of the season in the winning effort as she poured in a game-high 23 points on 11-of-14 shooting, to go along with career-high totals of 14 rebounds and six assists. Per Across the Timeline, Boston became the first player in WNBA history to record at least 20 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal in a game while shooting better than 75 percent from the floor.

Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell followed along adding 19 points. With her second field goal of the night, Mitchell moved into second on the all-time scoring list in franchise history, surpassing Katie Douglas with 2,564 and now trailing only Tamika Catchings. Mitchell's scoring total on the night catapulted her to 2,581 career points in her sixth season with Indiana.

In addition, Kristy Wallace, NaLyssa Smith and Lexie Hull contributed eight points each in the win. Forward Queen Egbo tied a season-best with 10 rebounds to go along with six points off the bench.

After almost two minutes of scoreless play from both teams to start the game, it was Boston who completed the first two consecutive field goals of the night. Washington went on a short-lived 10-2 run after Boston scored four of her five points in the quarter, but Indiana quickly recovered and shrunk the deficit. The Fever held the Mystics to only 30 percent shooting (6-of-20) in the first frame and finished the quarter leading, 19-17.

Though the Fever owned a small lead heading into the second quarter, Indiana's scoring attack finally ignited with Egbo's six points and three rebounds off the bench. The Fever maintained the lead and closed out the half ahead, 41-38.

Washington started the second half on a 7-0 run to take the lead back, but Indiana responded with a 15-1 run of its own and never trailed again. Indiana's defensive performance supported the scoring attack, holding the Mystics to a mere 26.7 shooting percentage (4-of-15) from the floor. The third quarter ended with the Fever leading the Mystics, 61-53.

Indiana cruised through the fourth frame and outscored Washington, 26-13, to close out the game. Boston contributed eight points on a perfect 4-of-4 from the court and Mitchell recorded seven points in the quarter to propel Indiana to the first win in front of the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd this season.

For Washington, the Mystics were led in scoring by forward Elena Delle Donne's 17 points on the night. Delle Donne was followed in the scoring column by Brittney Sykes, who pitched in nine points, with guards Ariel Atkins and Natasha Cloud each contributing seven points.

Indiana held Washington to a season-low offensive output of 66 points, which is also the lowest opponent output allowed by Indiana this season. The 18 points in the paint by Washington was a new season-low for Fever opponents as well. The Fever also pulled down a season high rebounds (46) and offensive rebounds (14) and outrebounded Washington, 46-27.

UP NEXT

The Fever hit the road to take on the Chicago Sky on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. Thursday's game will be broadcast on the official Indiana Fever Facebook page.

Check out the Indiana Fever Statistics

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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from June 13, 2023


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