By: Donnie Smith, Regional Radio Sports Network: 7-13-05

            Despite a loss to New York in their previous game, the Connecticut Sun came into Conseco Fieldhouse for a matinee performance on Wednesday with the best record in the WNBA. Their pre-game look was “We’ve beaten Indy six games in a row and we’re not losing this time.”

            The game opened with a fast pace. However, shots didn’t fall, and neither team could buy an offensive rebound. Connecticut’s high post offense with 7’2 center Margo Dydek playing the post role proved ineffective due to the excellent defensive switching by the Fever. Natalie Williams of Indiana, who is a full foot shorter than Dydek, held her to only 3 points and 5 rebounds. The Indiana offense focused on quick ball movement to create mismatches.

            Connecticut (12-4) took their first lead at the 13:07 mark of the 1^st half via a Brooke Wyckoff 3 point shot making the score 10-8. Natalie Williams would tie the game at 10 on the next possession, but the Fever would get no closer than 2 for the remainder of the half. The Sun took a 29-20 lead into the locker room.

            The Fever came out of the locker room first to get some early shooting in, a pretty good idea considering the Fever were a mere 25% from the field in the first half to go along with an abysmal 12% from beyond the arc.

            Flashback: Last week the Sun led the N.Y. Liberty by 6 at the break and lost the game by 10.            Kelly Miller got things going for the Fever in the 2^nd half dialing long distance for three and then coming back with a field goal on the next possession. Natalie Williams split a pair of free throws to bring the Fever within 3. Connecticut was on pins and needles early in the second half trying not to let history repeat itself. Coach Mike Thibault continually made line changes trying to find the right mix. They would turn the ball over a total of 15 times in the second half alone.

            Tamika Catchings made her presence felt just before the 14-minute mark. At that point the Tennessee grad took the game into her own hands. A steal and assist on a Miller deuce, a rebound and layup, another steal followed by a free throw, a blocked shot, and then another free throw brought the Fever back to tie the game at 38. The Fever finally regained the lead with 10:41 to play on two free throws by Deanna Jackson, their first lead in almost 24 minutes of play.

            Connecticut tied the game at 45 on a Douglas free throw, but after two Catchings free throws at 8:09 Indiana would never look back. They added the exclamation point by finishing the final 1:18 with an 8-0 run. Indiana (9-6) finally getting a win in this series wasn’t as much a surprise as holding the WNBA’s most potent offense to under 60 points for the first time this season.

            Tamika Catchings led all scorers with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 steals. Indiana cashed in with 19 points on 24 Sun turnovers. The Fever also out rebounded the Sun 38-27. The Sun could only manage 25% of their offensive boards, compared to the Fever at 40%.

            In talking with a very disappointed Katie Douglas after the game it was easy to see that it wasn’t such a sweet homecoming for the 1997 Indiana All-Star and Perry Meridian graduate. “I love coming back. Indianapolis is a special place for me,” said Douglas who finished with 11 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals. She had plenty of friends and family among the 8,799 in attendance. “I just wish I was in a better mood to socialize.” In response to the loss, Douglas stated that the team needs to “focus on a couple of key things that they are lacking.” “Our second half performance isn’t getting the job done. Our first half is so-so, I wouldn’t say great, but we go in with leads and we’re losing them.” With the WNBA’s best team now on a two game losing streak, Douglas said, “it puts a target on our back.”

            The Fever forced 13 steals in the second half for a new franchise record. They return to action at Conseco Fieldhouse on Friday hosting the Detroit Shock. Connecticut will play host to the Houston Comets on Friday.