July 8, 2015 – Lynetta Kizer scored 17 points as the Fever defeated the Storm, 88-65.

Kizer, Team Defense Push Indiana To 3rd Straight Victory

INDIANAPOLIS – Lynetta Kizer took her turn Wednesday as the Indiana Fever’s center of attention.

Kizer, the Fever’s backup center, scored a game-high 17 points – just two off her career high – and combined with some strong team defense to propel Indiana to an 88-65 victory over the Seattle Storm at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The matinee game drew a crowd of 12,189 – the highest total for a Fever regular-season outing at the Fieldhouse since 2003.

The triumph was Indiana’s third in a row, squaring the home team’s record 6-6. It also marked the second straight victory of a dominating nature for the Fever, who also beat Washington by 23 points late last week.

For Kizer, her performance served as further proof of Indiana’s multifaceted and multiple-player talents at the center position.

PHOTO GALLERY: Fever 88, Storm 65 »

Natalie Achonwa, who was just named the WNBA’s Rookie of the Month, usually starts at center, with Kizer coming off the bench. Achonwa had nine points and three rebounds Wednesday to go with Kizer’s 17 and six.

Combined, the two are shooting 53 percent from the field this season and averaging 19.0 points and 9.6 rebounds. That’s some hearty production from the “five” position.

“One comes out, the next one goes in, with no dropoff,” said Fever forward Marissa Coleman, who had 15 points and six rebounds in the victory. “That’s something that I think we’ll be able to utilize, especially down the stretch.”

Added Fever guard Jeanette Pohlen, who had six points and three assists: “When we establish an inside game right away, (opponents) have to guard them, they have to send two people on them. … Our centers are playing real aggressively right now and really helping the team out with anything we need, offensively and defensively.”

After San Antonio visits for a game Friday night, Achonwa will depart the Fever for a few weeks while she plays for the Canadian national team. Veteran Erlana Larkins, who is steadily seeing more playing time as she recovers from a knee injury, will play an even bigger role.

Kizer’s role, too, will grow in Achonwa’s absence. Kizer appears ready for the challenge after preparing herself all winter while playing in Turkey. The 6-foot-4 center worked on her conditioning and defensive play, polished her skills as a back-to-the-basket scorer and finished as her league’s second-highest point producer with 19.0 per game.

Coach Stephanie White took note of Kizer’s output as soon as the Fever opened training camp in May.

“Offensively, I’ve never been worried about Kizer,” White said. “Her skill set is tremendous. She’s got the skills of a guard, really. She can handle the ball. She can shoot the ball. She has great hands and really good touch. She wants the ball, so we have to give it to her when she’s out there, because she’s very effective.”

Indeed, that was the case Wednesday. Seattle’s defenders usually positioned themselves behind the Fever’s low-post players and Kizer capitalized. She demanded the ball, muscled her way to the basket and connected on 7-of-10 shots.

Once Indiana established itself inside, the perimeter players opened up. The Fever totaled 50 percent shooting from the field (36-of-72), including 33 percent (7-of-21) from 3-point range.

“Our guards have faith in us and they’re getting the ball to us down there,” Kizer said. “The most important thing is just staying confident and keep feeding off each other.”

Seattle (3-10) shot 42.2 percent from the field (19-of-45) in a game that could have gotten away from the visitors even sooner if they hadn’t hit 22-of-26 free throws. Indiana forced the Storm into 23 turnovers, which led to 24 Fever points.

In the last two games, Indiana has scored 45 points off of 41 opponent turnovers. According to White, the Fever’s speed and athleticism could help the 2015 team become one of the franchise’s best defensive groups. Indiana has built its reputation and resume – with a WNBA-record 10 consecutive playoff berths – as a defensive club.

“We have great potential to be a lockdown defensive team,” White said. “I think we’re just scratching the surface.”

The Fever bench totaled a season-high 38 points as White subbed extensively within Indiana’s fast-paced scheme. Indiana’s 88-point total represented the third-highest of the season. During its current three-game winning streak, Indiana is averaging 84.3 points and outscoring opponents by 18 per game.

“I feel momentum,” said Fever forward Tamika Catchings, who scored 12 points. “I’m excited to see just how good we can consistently get.”

July 8, 2015 – FeverBasketball.com’s Pat Boylan wraps up Indiana’s 88-65 victory over the Seattle Storm. Video includes soundbites from both coaches and locker rooms.

July 8, 2015 – Fever players Briann January, Lynetta Kizer, and Tamika Catchings discuss Indiana’s 88-65 win over the Seattle Storm.

July 8, 2015 – Fever head coach Stephanie White talks about the 88-65 win over the Seattle Storm.

July 8, 2015 – Seattle Storm head coach Jenny Boucek and players Sue Bird and Jewell Loyd discuss their 88-65 defeat to the Indiana Fever.