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Indiana Fever beat Connecticut behind Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell
INDIANAPOLIS — With loads of star energy within the constructing, the Indiana Fever knocked out the Solar on Wednesday evening at an amped up Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Indiana’s 84-80 win helped the Fever keep away from being swept by the Solar. It was a giant turnaround for a Fever workforce who had misplaced to Connecticut 3 times earlier this season, together with as soon as when coach Christie Sides pulled her starters within the second half.
Extra:Fever, Caitlin Clark drawing greater crowds — and greater stars.
‘A totally completely different workforce.’Win over Solar exhibits simply how far Fever have come this 12 months
Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles and Gabby Thomas had been within the crowd, as was leisure icon and Indianapolis native David Letterman and Colts QB Anthony Richardson.
The Fever are actually 15-16, seventh within the league, solidifying their playoff place.
Listed below are three observations:
Fever come out sizzling towards Solar
Earlier than Wednesday evening, the Fever had 5 video games they’d 50 or extra factors at halftime. All of them had been towards groups they’ve crushed handily all through the season — three towards Atlanta and two towards Phoenix.
Wednesday was the sixth time — towards a workforce the Fever had been 0-3 towards coming into the sport. However Indiana is a distinct workforce from when the groups final met again in June.
After beginning the sport down 8-2, Indiana simply received a deal with on the rating. They shot 50% (9-of-18) from 3-point vary within the first half and led the Solar, the second-best workforce within the league, by 9 heading into halftime.
Beforehand, the Fever received all 5 video games they scored 50+ within the first half.
This time, it was a little bit bit harder. The Fever discovered themselves up simply two factors with one minute left, and the Fever and the Solar had been buying and selling baskets. It was a chippy sport — the Solar are veterans, and they’re skilled in combating for the ball.
The groups traded baskets down the stretch underneath Solar middle Alyssa Thomas turned the ball over with 24 seconds left. Then, Connecticut received to fouling.
Lexie Hull sealed the victory with two free throws with simply seconds left, and the Fever averted the sweep of the league’s second-best workforce.
Lexie Hull will get second begin of season
After beginning within the second half rather than Katie Lou Samuelson on Monday evening, Fever guard Lexie Hull received one other likelihood Wednesday.
Sides mentioned Samuelson took herself out of the sport as a result of she wasn’t feeling nicely Monday evening, then she appeared on the harm report for private causes Wednesday. Samuelson went via warmups and was in the end dominated obtainable however did not play.
And Hull took benefit of the chance. Coming off three straight video games with 20+ minutes, she confirmed why she deserved them Wednesday evening.
Hull was scrappy your complete sport, combating for rebounds and increasing possessions for the Fever. She discovered herself in clutch moments on the offensive finish, and delivered: Caitlin Clark misplaced and regained management of the ball in a single possession, getting the ball to Hull with simply seconds left on the shot clock. Hull, off-balance and one-handed, heaved up a 3-pointer that swished via the online.
Hull ended up going 4-of-5 from 3-point vary for 17 factors, eight rebounds and three assists.
Kelsey Mitchell notches fifth-straight 20+ level sport
With three minutes left within the fourth quarter, Kelsey Mitchell was extensive open within the 3-point nook close to Connecticut’s bench. Whether or not it was a defensive miscue for Connecticut or deliberate, Lexie Hull tossed the ball to Mitchell. Swish.
That shot gave the Fever a one-point lead with simply minutes left within the sport. And it gave Mitchell her fifth straight sport with 21+ factors — all of them coming after the Olympic break. She is averaging 26.2 factors because the break, which is each main the Fever and one of many high marks within the league.
Mitchell’s scoring efforts have been paramount for the Fever’s 4-1 report because the break, which incorporates three wins over groups with .500 or higher information.
She completed the sport with 23 factors on 8-of-14 taking pictures.
What number of factors did Caitlin Clark rating towards the Solar?
Clark completed with 19 factors on 7-of-17 taking pictures, in addition to 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
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