Second Quarter Barrage Lifts Fever to Preseason Road Win

GAME REPORT
	Fever 60, Sky 55
May 15, 2007at UIC Pavilion (Chicago, Ill.) Box Score

CHICAGO – Tamika Catchings scored a game-high 16 points and rookie center Alison Bales added seven blocked shots while leading the Indiana Fever to a 60-55 preseason victory over the Chicago Sky, in a game which ended the preseason for both teams. The WNBA opens its regular season on Saturday.

Leading by three after one period, Indiana stretched its lead to as many as 17 on the way to a 41-26 advantage at the break. The Sky scored the first nine points of the third quarter, and drew within two points, 57-55, on a pair of free throws by Cathy Joens with 2:47 remaining.

Tan White hit the second of two free throws with 1:49 to play, then added a jumper with 1:08 to go, for the final margin.

“We got what we wanted out of this game,” said Fever coach Brian Winters. “We got back to winning and I was able to get a little more time for Tamika and Tully (Bevilaqua), and Tan and Anna. [Chicago] pressured us and we turned the ball over too much. They also outrebounded us, which I don’t like.”

Catchings added seven rebounds for the Fever (2-1). DeForge netted 11 points with a pair of steals. Bales, in just her third pro game, added four points and six rebounds.

Candice Dupree paced the Sky (2-1) with 11 points and seven rebounds. Chicago forced 24 Fever turnovers, 15 in the second half, and boasted a 33-29 edge on the boards. Indiana played without veteran center Ebony Hoffman who sustained a practice injury and remained in Indianapolis.

The Fever opens its eighth WNBA season Saturday, when it hosts the Minnesota Lynx at Conseco Fieldhouse. Tipoff is 7:00 p.m.