WNBA Indiana Fever

Indiana Fever 69, Connecticut Sun 63

Published on August 23, 2005 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Indiana Fever News Release


- Indiana took its first lead of the second half with 1:34 to play, then used took the lead for good on Deanna Jackson's layin with 44 seconds left. Indiana knocked off Eastern Conference-leading Connecticut and earned the home-court advantage in the first round of the WNBA Playoffs when New York lost an overtime game at Washington.

- Indiana matched a franchise record with its fourth straight win, and extended its franchise record for wins overall, reaching 20 wins for the first time in franchise history. Indiana also moved eight games above .500 (20-12) for the first time in its history.

- Securing the home-court advantage for the first time in its history, Indiana will be matched with New York in the first round. New York, though losing at Washington, secured third place in the East when Charlotte upset Detroit. The Fever will travel to New York for a first-round matchup next Tuesday or Wednesday, then host the final two games of the best-of-three series.

- The Fever shot a season-best 52.2 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Sun 26-19. The Fever had six offensive rebounds in the second half to help sustain its offense.

- Tully Bevilaqua made two of three free throws with 1:34 remaining to stake the Fever to its first lead since 8:41 of the first half. Nykesha Sales answered with an 18-footer for a 61-61 tie, and Jackson's layin from Tamika Catchings gave Indiana the lead back with :44 to play. Lindsey Whalen's driving layup with 40 seconds left glanced off the rim and Catchings' rebound gave the Fever the lead and the ball with :33 remaining. Catchings hit a pair of free throws with 31.5 seconds left as Indiana grabbed its largest lead of the game, 65-61.

- Connecticut coach Mike Thibault picked up his second technical foul during the ensuing timeout and Kelly Miller's free throw lifted Indiana to a five-point advantage. After Taj McWilliams-Franklin hit a layup to pull within 66-63, Bevilaqua and Miller combined for three more free throws for the final decision.

- Trailing 55-48, Indiana went on a 9-2 run with Tamika Catchings scoring Indiana's next seven points and Jurgita Streimikyte's 15-foot jumper tying the score at 57 with 4:27 to play. McWilliams-Franklin and Streimikyte traded baskets again and the score was tied at 59 when Indiana called timeout with 1:51 to play.

- The Fever outscored Connecticut 11-4 to begin the half and knot the game at 43 on a 3-pointer by Tully Bevilaqua, but Brooke Wyckoff answered with a matching 3 on the Sun's next possession. Wyckoff's was the first of three Sun 3-pointers in a three-minute span that sent Connecticut to another seven-point advantage. Catchings scored the Fever's next seven points and brought Indiana within 55-53 with 7:42 remaining.

- A furious, back-and-forth first half included 58 percent shooting from the Sun and 52 percent shooting by Indiana. Nykesha Sales broke a 26-all deadlock with 5:26 in the half, then followed with another jumper as the Sun led by five and opened the largest lead of the game by either team. The Sun would lead by as many as seven on Taj McWilliams-Franklin's putback with 2:01 in the opening period, but a pair of free throws by Natalie Williams kept the Fever within 37-32 at the intermission.

FEVER NOTES: Indiana plays at Detroit on Thursday, before ending the regular season at Conseco Fieldhouse against New York on Saturday. Saturday's game is Fan Appreciation Night, with the first 3,000 fans receiving a team poster courtesy of Sport Graphics and WISH-TV. Thursday's game against the Shock will be webcast live on wnba.com and aol.com.

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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from August 23, 2005


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