Indianapolis, IN- Back at Bankers Fieldhouse was suppose to be enough for Indiana who took a lead into the locker room at the half.
The fourth quarter was not kind to the Indiana Fever when the Connecticut Sun outscored them 7 points to snatch the victory 87-78.
“Some things we did to ourselves, but I always have to give credit to the opposition. [Connecticut] got the rebounds and second-chance points and took advantage in those moments,” said Fever coach Pokey Chatman, “We talk a lot about pivotal moments.”
The Sun took this game away with 10 more fast break points and outscoring the Fever in the paint by 22 points.
All the Fever starters scored in double figures with center Natalie Achonwa finishing with team high 16 points and 7 rebounds.
Rachel Banham from the Sun’s bench led her all scorers with 20 points in only 23 minutes.
“It shouldn’t have been a surprise. We know that Banham is a shooter,” said Fever Candice Dupree, “She was 5-for-5 from the three.”
The Sun coming off a lost had a focus in the fourth quarter this game and it showed.
“When it was starting to work there was an emphasis to get the ball inside,” said Sun coach Curt Miller, ” A lot of that goes to our players passing up some good shots to get a better shot and then Brionna Jones having a big night.”
The Fever continue to show flashes of greatness even shooting 46.3% from the field. Now they need to start their offense with defense.
“Definitely stick to what’s working,” said Fever Kelsey Mitchell, “Buy into knowing everything is not going to be the way you want it to go and kind of turn the page after plays that didn’t go right.”
The Fever will have a chance to turn the page and have a quick rematch with the Sun on Wednesday in Connecticut.
