INDIANAPOLIS – The Washington Mystics proved to be too much for the Indiana Fever in the overtime period, as the visitors secured a 95-88 win at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Friday night. Washington outscored Indiana 14-7 in overtime, including a 6-0 run to begin the session to give them a lead that they did not relinquish.
Washington guard Kristi Toliver was the catalyst in the overtime, scoring six of her 17 points in the extra time. The All-Star also dished six assists for the Mystics.
“I thought we were solid in a lot of areas,” said Fever head coach Pokey Chatman. “But a great player made some great plays down the stretch and throughout. We’ll learn from it and move on.”
Elena Delle Donne was the game’s leading scorer, pouring in 28 points with 15 rebounds and four blocked shots. The six-time All-Star was clutch down the stretch, scoring 10 of Washington’s final 13 points in regulation.
“[Delle Donne] is the most balanced professional basketball player,” said Chatman. “Maybe even more balanced than the men – but no one talks about that.”
Indiana was led by All-Star guard Erica Wheeler who had 18 points, five assists, and tied a career high with seven rebounds. Natalie Achonwa had her third double-double of the season, scoring 16 points and grabbing 12 boards. Candice Dupree almost added one of her own, scoring eight and securing 12 caroms.
Indiana received a big boost from the bench, as Tiffany Mitchell scored 14 points in the contest. Shenise Johnson chipped season highs of her own with 13 points and five assists.
Indiana took the lead early on in their matchup with Washington, as Achonwa scored a put back basket to give the Fever an early 9-6 advantage. Emma Meesseman was a spark for Washington off the bench in the opening quarter, scoring six of her 13 points to elevate Washington late in the period.
The Mystics took a 21-15 lead into the end of the opening quarter.
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough opened the second with five quick points for the Mystics, giving them a 24-17 lead, but Indiana made a 9-4 run to cut the deficit to just two, 28-26, as Tiffany Mitchell scored five second-quarter points. The visiting Mystics took a 41-37 lead into the half.
Wheeler, who will play in her first All-Star game next Saturday in Las Vegas, opened the third quarter by hitting two 3-pointers and giving the Fever their first lead since a 9-6 advantage early on.
Delle Donne responded for the Mystics, as the former MVP scored eight of the next 10 Washington points to give them a 53-47 lead midway through the third. Indiana regained the lead as Dupree scored back-to-back baskets, restoring the Fever lead 56-55.
Toliver hit a 3-pointer just before the end of the third to give the Mystics a 58-56 lead heading into the final period of regulation.
The Fever fought back early in the fourth, as a Tiffany Mitchell three-point play capped a 7-0 run that gave the home team a 70-68 lead.
But each time Indiana tried to take a hold of the lead late, Washington responded. Johnson hit a deep two that looked like it might win it for Indiana with 10.9 seconds to play, but Delle Donne drilled one on the other end to send it to overtime tied at 81.
Washington seized the lead in overtime, claiming their eight straight victory over Indiana and sending the Fever to their fourth straight defeat overall.
The Fever head on the road for a matchup with Chicago on Sunday night. The visiting team has won the last eight contests between the two teams.