INDIANAPOLIS –The Fever led by as many as 22 and staved off a strong Dallas comeback during the third quarter to defeat the Wings 79-64 on Friday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Going 3-1 to start the 2019 season, Indiana is off to its best start since the club went 4-0 to open the 2012 season – the year Indiana won the WNBA Championship.

 

Indiana’s winning effort was led by Natalie Achonwa who had an all-around game 17 points, 11 rebounds, and a career high five assists.

“It’s been tremendous,” said Fever head coach Pokey Chatman on Achonwa’s growth this season. “From her confidence to how she effectively communicates because she knows so much and filtering the best message to people to help make them really, really good players. It was nice to see that. She’s a smart one and I am glad she’s on our team.”

Guards Kelsey Mitchell and Tiffany Mitchell both chipped in 14 points. Erica Wheeler dished out nine assists for the Fever. Candice Dupree finished with a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds for the home team.

Dallas had one player score in double figures, Isabelle Harrison, who led the way with 18 points and seven boards for the visitors.

The Fever started the game strong as Betnijah Laney stole the opening possession from Dallas and took it the other way for a layup, propelling Indiana to an 8-2 run to begin the contest.

Dallas cut the deficit to 8-6 before Indiana seized control, going on a 14-6 run to end the first, including a Kennedy Burke layup that beat the buzzer by just fractions of a second. Indiana led 22-12 after the opening quarter.

Indiana kept their double-digit lead through the second quarter, extending the lead to as many as 16 on a Kelsey Mitchell layup that gave the home team a 38-22 advantage. Indiana’s defense stifled Dallas in the first half, as the visitors scored just 26 through two quarters on 33 percent shooting on 12-36 from the field.

“I think the person that sets the tone defensively is Betnijah Laney,” said Chatman, “On the ball, off the ball, talking – that stuff is contagious. And it’s not just her. There’s going to be days and nights, especially early in the season, when you are figuring things out offensively but the blue-collar stuff, you should be able to handle.”

Dupree reached the 1,000-point mark with the Fever on a signature midrange jumper midway through the second. Dupree became the 13^th player in Fever franchise history to reach the milestone, just six days after Erica Wheeler reached the same milestone with the team.

“I mean that’s huge,” said Dupree. “I had somebody just send that to me in a text message and I was like, ‘What?!’ so that was news to me. That means my teammates do a good job of finding me and I do an even better job of making shots. It was pretty cool.”

Natalie Achonwa came out with a purpose to start the third quarter, scoring nine of Indiana’s first 11 points including an and-one bucket that drew a strong reaction from the home crowd.

“My approach to the game was to make sure I was getting some rebounds,” said Achonwa. “Offensively, defensively, staying on the glass – being a presence. I got some offensive rebounds and some second chance opportunities that really helped push us forward.”

It was Tiffany Mitchell’s turn next, as the guard scored a quick five points off the bench that gave the Fever a 22-point lead, 56-34, their largest of the game.

Dallas did not give up despite the deficit and being in the bonus aided their comeback. The Wings shot 8-10 from the free throw line in the final two and a half minutes of the third, turning a 22-point deficit into just nine, 57-48, to end the quarter.

Kelsey Mitchell responded to open the quarter for Indiana. The second-year guard hit two quick free throws and hit a three-pointer just moments later that helped Indiana restore a double-digit lead. Indiana would protect their lead from there, winning their second straight game at home in convincing fashion.

“Everybody says basketball is a game of runs,” said the fourteen-year veteran Dupree. “I think we were able to stop the bleeding and take control of the game again. They got a lot of offensive rebounds and free throws in the third quarter, we were able to stop that and take control in the fourth quarter.”

The Fever continue their four-game homestand with a matchup against the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday.

Postgame Interviews

Fever head coach Pokey Chatman spoke with the media following Indiana’s 79-64 win over the Dallas Wings on Friday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

After a win against the Dallas Wings, Candice Dupree talks about how the Fever took control in the second half and the overall improvement of the team and players this year.