September 19, 2015 – Tamika Catchings scores 22 points and grabs 9 rebounds as the Fever defeat the Sky 89-82 and even the series at one game a piece.
With their backs against the wall, the Indiana Fever got huge performances from their veterans. The Fever’s “core four” of Tamika Catchings, Briann January, Erlana Larkins, and Shavonte Zellous — all starters on Indiana’s 2012 WNBA championship team — all came up big as the Fever defeated the Chicago Sky, 89-82, in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The two teams will meet again on Monday night in Chicago for a winner-take-all Game 3.
In a back-and-forth game that featured many ties and lead changes, the Fever pulled away late, closing the game with an 8-2 run. After Courtney Vandersloot’s layup cut Indiana’s lead to 85-82 with 2:59 to play, the Fever held the visitors scoreless on their final five possessions, forcing four missed shots and one turnover.
“Definitely down the stretch our focus, it seemed like it magnified,” Catchings said. “…We executed offensively and defensively. Everybody zoned in. You could see it in their eyes.”
Catchings was her usual spectacular self. The perennial All-Star scored 22 points, collected nine rebounds, and had five steals to lead the Fever to victory.
PHOTO GALLERY: Fever 82, Sky 89 »
But Catchings got a big assist from her teammates.
Zellous, now coming off the bench as a super-sub, scored 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting and dished out eight assists. Zellous’ playmaking seemingly took some stress off of January, the Fever’s starting point guard, who added 14 points of her own on 7-of-15 shooting.
Larkins, meanwhile, has battled injuries all season but was nonetheless inserted into the starting lineup in Game 2 in an attempt to help keep Chicago off of the boards. She did her job, collecting 12 rebounds on the night.
As a team, Indiana outrebounded the Sky 41-32 overall and 18-11 on the offensive glass. That was a considerable turnaround from Thursday’s loss, when Chicago won the battle of the boards by seven and racked up 22 second-chance points.
“We were aggressive to the rim,” Fever head coach Stephanie White said. “We didn’t settle…It’s about giving yourself a chance to win, and we were able to make some plays down the stretch.”
The Fever’s veterans got a nice lift from their supporting cast, as well. Lynetta Kizer, who didn’t even play in Game 1, had 12 points and five offensive rebounds in just nine minutes of action. Shenise Johnson added 11 points and five boards in the victory.
Vandersloot led Chicago with 19 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Allie Quigley added 14 points off the bench. Elena Delle Donne, the 2015 WNBA MVP, finished with 11 points on just 3-of-9 shooting.
September 19, 2015 – Coaches and players from both teams give their take on the Fever’s Game 2 victory over the Chicago Sky on Saturday night.
September 19, 2015 – Fever forward Tamika Catchings discusses Indiana’s 89-82 win over the Chicago Sky in Game 2 of the 2015 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
September 19, 2015 – Fever head coach Stephanie White discusses Indiana’s 89-82 win over the Chicago Sky in Game 2 of the 2015 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
September 19, 2015 – Fever players Briann January, Erlana Larkins, and Shavonte Zellous discuss Indiana’s 89-82 Game 2 victory over the Chicago Sky.
September 19, 2015 – Fever head coach Stephanie White discusses Indiana’s 89-82 win over the Chicago Sky in Game 2 of the 2015 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
September 19, 2015 – Highlights of the Fever’s 89-82 win over the Chicago Sky in Game 2 of the 2015 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
September 19, 2015 – Highlights of Tamika Catchings’ 22-point performance in the Fever’s 89-82 win over the Chicago Sky in Game 2 of the 2015 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
September 19, 2015 – Highlights of Shavonte Zellous’ 16-point performance in the Fever’s 89-82 win over the Chicago Sky in Game 2 of the 2015 Eastern Conference Semifinals.