INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The Indiana Fever did not keep pace with the visiting Chicago Sky in the WNBA season opener at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The Sky rookies upstaged the Fever rookies in a 82-64 final. The Sky is now 1-0 to get off on a good foot.
Stephanie Mavunga being right at home in Indiana debut was acceptable for her 11 minutes of play with no points.
“I don’t have to rush everything. I can take my time,” said Mavunga. “Make everything as slow as possible.”
For the Sky their rookie Diamond DeShields, scored 7 of 11 from the field and made all four of her free throws.”
Fever veteran Candice Dupree lead her team with 14 points, 8 rebounds, and Erica Wheeler scored 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.
“I think we kind of got lazy on defense,” said Fever guard Erica Wheeler, “We weren’t making shots and that’s what killed us.”
The Fever will have to gel as a time playing four rookies, which is not an easy task.
“We knew we would have a lot to learn in terms of experience, but that wasn’t about experience,” said Fever head coach Pokey Chatman. “You compete at the highest level each possession, regardless.”
The Sky in the second half is where they did their damage to out score the Fever 46-30.
Now it’s no reason to hit the panic button for Chatman because this was only one game, one loss.
“We’ve got to learn from it, improve and get back at it tomorrow.” said Mavunga.
The Fever will have an opportunity to avenge this loss in five days when these teams play a quick rematch back in Indiana.
