Fever Knock Off Mystics 78-73 in Game 1
By Evan Massey
Sep 17, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings (24) talks with a referee during the second quarter against the Minnesota Lynx at the Target Center. The Minnesota Lynx beat the Indiana Fever 86-79. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
The Indiana Fever were able to take Game 1 of their WNBA Playoffs series with the Washington Mystics by a final score of 78-73. Both teams took turns dominating the first half, but the Fever took over in the second half and never looked back. This was a key win, as the Fever remain with home court advantage following this win, and have put the Mystics in a win or go home mindset right off the bat.
Tamika Catchings was the main reason that the Fever dominated the second half and pulled out the win. She scored 22 points to go along with 10 rebounds and seven steals. Even at the age of 35, she is one of the most talented players in the WNBA. Briann January came through with a big game as well for Indiana, scoring 15 points on 6-12 shooting. Shavonte Zellous was the only other double digit scorer for the Fever with 10 points on 5-12 shooting.
Ivory Latta came through with a huge game for the Mystics, scoring 22 points on 8-15 shooting and 6-11 from behind the three-point arc. Emma Meesseman scored 17 points on 7-10 shooting, but also turned the basketball over five times. Monique Currie rounded out the Washington double figure scorers with 11 points.
Last night was a very encouraging sign for the Fever, and they have a chance to close out the series on Saturday night in Washington. Catchings will have to keep up the type of play that she produced in the third and fourth quarters for the Fever to close this series out. Without her playing her best basketball, the Fever are going to be in some trouble, and the Mystics are a talented enough basketball team to capitalize.
It’s going to be a very exciting game on Saturday night to say the very least. Both teams are going to bring everything they have, and the Mystics are going to be playing with their backs against the wall and their season in jeopardy. There is nothing quite as fun as watching a team scratching and clawing to stay alive. Expect to see a very tightly contested game, and be sure to keep an eye out for the Catchings vs. Latta scoring competition.