July 2, 2015 – Shenise Johnson had a double-double and season-high in points in a 16-point, 11-rebound performance to lead the Fever to a 23-point victory on Thursday night.

Vigorous Defense, Efficient Offense Fuel Fever Triumph

INDIANAPOLIS – Coach Stephanie White left no doubt after her Indiana Fever team captured a rousing 73-50 victory Thursday night over the visiting Washington Mystics.

“No question, best performance of the year,” White declared.

Robust offense. Stout defense. Unrelenting effort. The Fever produced the whole package in dominating Washington.

“My challenge to our team was to compete at a high level, execute at a high level, for 40 minutes,” said White, whose 5-6 squad played the first of four straight home games. “I felt like we did that. There’s no question that we took a huge step forward.”

PHOTO GALLERY: Fever 73, Mystics 50 »

Offensively, the Fever committed a season-low eight turnovers, hit 50 percent from the field (29-of-58) and outscored the Mystics by a whopping 38-14 margin in the paint. Shenise Johnson led Indiana with 16 points and a career-high 11 rebounds, recording the second double-double of her four-year WNBA career.

On the defensive end, Indiana looked especially strong. Washington’s total of 50 points represented the fewest Indiana has allowed in a game since September 2012. The Mystics hit just 29.3 percent of their field goal tries (17-of-58) and committed 18 turnovers.

Washington’s rhythm offense looked out of synch, especially after halftime. Indiana held the visitors to 16 second-half points, the fewest ever allowed in a half by the Fever at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Indiana hands seemed to be everywhere, harassing the Mystics, with the home team’s total of deflected passes easily reaching double digits. The Fever turned back the clock to a few years ago when they won consistently with hard-nosed defensive efforts.

“Now we just have to maintain that,” said White, who has emphasized the Fever need to avoid lunging for steals and focus more on deflections. “The way we played defense tonight is the way we have to play defense to win ball games.”

Indiana’s Johnson, acquired from San Antonio before this season, said she didn’t know about her double-double until teammate Shavonte Zellous informed her from the bench. It was the fourth consecutive game in double-figure points for Johnson, who also contributed a career-high four steals.

“I’m still having my peaks and valleys,” she said. “I’m trying to do everything right. I’m trying to lock in mentally, lock in defensively, and everything else will come.”

White likes what she is seeing from Johnson. The coach praises her often for an ability to create her own shots. White also has said Johnson owns the potential to be a WNBA All-Star.

Johnson’s single-handed steal and fast-break layup early in the second quarter, followed by Marissa Coleman’s steal and layup, started the Fever on a 9-0 run. It was the Fever defense and fast-paced offense at their best, setting the Mystics (6-4) back on their heels.

Washington recorded shooting marks of only 25 percent in the second quarter, 18.2 percent in the third and 12.5 percent in the fourth. When Tamika Catchings scored on a layup with 2 1/2 minutes left in the game, Indiana opened a 21-point margin.

Catchings produced double-digit scoring for Indiana with 15 and added seven rebounds and a game-high five assists. Nine players appeared in the game for the Fever. Each scored at least four points.

“Every single night,” Catchings said as she talked about Indiana’s team strengths, “it’s not about what can I do for myself. It’s really about putting your teammates in the best situation to win.”

Erlana Larkins, who had sat out with a knee injury since the season’s second game, scored four points and grabbed a rebound in 8 ½ minutes against Washington. White said the Fever will be cautious as their standout post player works her way into shape.

“She has to be patient with herself,” White said. “We have to be patient with her. We just need her to get back into a flow.”

July 2, 2015 – Fever head coach Stephanie White talks about the 73-50 win over the Washington Mystics.

July 2, 2015 – Fever players Tamika Catchings and Shenise Johnson discuss Indiana’s 73-50 win over the Washington Mystics.

July 2, 2015 – FeverBasketball.com’s Darren Thomas wraps up Indiana’s 73-50 victory over the Washington Mystics. Video includes soundbites from both coaches and locker rooms.

July 2, 2015 – Washington Mystics head coach Mike Thibault and players Stefanie Dolson and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt discuss their 73-50 loss to the Indiana Fever.

July 2, 2015 – FeverBasketball.com caught up with former Fever players and members of the 2012 Championship team Tammy Sutton-Brown and Jessica Davenport during a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.