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.
PHOTOS: Fever Down the Wings, 108-90 »»
“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.
STATS: Six Fever Players Score in Double Figures »»
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.