WNBA Indiana Fever

Indiana Drops Wings in Preseason Opener, 108-90

Published on May 1, 2016 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Indiana Fever News Release


INDIANAPOLIS - In a WNBA preseason opener between returning playoff teams, the Indiana Fever defeated the Dallas Wings, 108-90 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Sunday. Indiana's Maggie Lucas led all scorers with 22 points, shooting 7-of-15 from the floor and sinking five 3-point field goals.

It was the Wings' first appearance since the franchise relocated from Tulsa last year.

Indiana's 108 points marked the third-highest scoring total in Fever history (116 at Phoenix in 2009 WNBA Finals, 110 vs. Phoenix in 2010). And for just the fifth time in franchise history, six Fever players contributed double-digit scoring efforts. Second-round draft pick Brene Moseley added 16 points and first-round selection Tiffany Mitchell had 14. Also with 14 was free-agent guard Erica Wheeler. Natalie Achonwa and Asia Taylor each contributed 13.

Scoring from four different players fueled a 10-0 run to start the third quarter, Indiana took control in the second half. The Fever outscored with Wings 32-18 in the quarter, propelling them to an 87-72 lead.

"Today was a great experience for us," said Indiana's second-year coach Stephanie White. "It was nice to score 108 points. I'd like to think we might have some of that in the regular season. I was pleased with our effort, especially playing with such a young group today."

"Everybody got some good minutes and I thought everybody did something well. The good thing about exhibition play is that you get to see people in live game situations."

Sparked by Moseley, Indiana used a 17-7 run late in the first quarter to offset an early 8-1 deficit. Moseley, a 5-7 point guard out of Maryland, scored five points during the run. Each team led by as many as 7 points in a see-saw first half featuring nine lead changes and seven ties. Indiana led 55-54 at the break, and never trailed again.

First-round draft pick Aerial Powers paced the Wings with 17 points. Theresa Plaisance added 11 and Erin Phillips, a member of Indiana's 2012 WNBA championship team, scored 10 for Dallas, all in the first half.

Both teams played without its top stars. Dallas played without returning starters Skylar Diggins, Karima Christmas, Courtney Paris and Odyssey Sims. Indiana was without Tamika Catchings, Marissa Coleman, Shenise Johnson, Erlana Larkins and trade acquisition Devereaux Peters.

POSTGAME QUOTES

Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings

May 1, 2016

Quoting Fever Head Coach Stephanie White

"Today was a great experience for us. It was nice to score 108 points. I'd like to think we might have some of that in the regular season. I was pleased with our effort, especially playing with such a young group today."

"We scored a lot of points, but we didn't always execute the way we wanted. Sometimes we got rushed and we weren't as patience as I would have hoped. But we did some good things, I was pleased. Defensively, I thought we picked up our energy in the second half. We got better in the second half. Dallas likes to push tempo, so they scored a lot of points, too. We have some work to do."

"Everybody got some good minutes and I thought everybody did something well. The good thing about exhibition play is that you get to see people in live game situations. You can't simulate that in training camp, otherwise."

Quoting Wings Head Coach Fred Williams

(What are you looking for from your players in a preseason game?)

"Being on the road in preseason play, you want to get everybody in the game. When you have 14 players you don't have a lot of minutes to give equal minutes. But I wanted to get the younger players more reps on the floor, get to know each other better with timing on defense and offense. But we know that we have to work on a lot of things on defense. And offensive, I was very pleased with our energy and scoring some points."

Quoting the Fever's Maggie Lucas

(On being comfortable this season)

"It's definitely just a process. For me it's been a huge learning experience and my goal is to just improve upon last year. And I was lucky enough to go home in this off season and train and get stronger and faster and that's been a big help for me. My teammates got me in great spots. Natalie (Achonwa) and me in a two man, she's just so steady in there. Set the ball screen and I'm able to step behind and shoot an open three. So there is playing with new people and people that I have played with, making that combination work."

Quoting the Fever's Lynetta Kizer

(On her first impression of the new players)

"I think they came out and they played with a lot of speed, they played well, they were being aggressive, they attacked. When things got a little stagnant they just didn't stop playing, they kept moving. So I think for their first pro game they did really well."

(Did you play overseas?)

"I did. I was in Turkey. I feel good. I'm getting back into the flow of things. Bbeing away from these guys for about eight months, we had a good first week. Everybody is getting back into the flow of things. But as far as me, I feel good."

(On her game today)

"I think I did a good job. I wanted to focus on the defensive end. So I think I did a better job. This week of practice was up and down for me. I think on the defensive end, that was my focus. I just tried to play aggressive and just be where I was supposed to be and calling the screens for my guards."

Quoting the Wings' Erin Phillips

"I thought for our team it was a good chance to get the nerves out. The rookies, coach calls them the new pros, I could see that they were nervous. The speed of the game, the physicality of the game was a real eye opener for them. But for us it was a test and to work on a few little things. Overall everyone did well. I like coming back playing in this arena. It's really nice to come back to Indiana."

Quoting the Wings' Aerial Powers

"Rookies first game, we started out a little nervous. We have to focus on getting back on D. We could have done better rebounding, all of us together could have done better. I think that's where the game got away from us, second chance points."

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