Indiana Edged By Detroit In Final Minutes

STAR OF THE GAME TAMIKA CATCHINGS Catchings scored a game high 22 points, including three 3’s, to go along with seven rebounds, six assists and three steals. UNSUNG HERO TAMIKA WHITMORE Whitmore finished with 21 points on 10-of-21 shooting and led Indiana on the glass with nine rebounds in the game. QUOTABLE BRIAN WINTERS In general: “The third period hurt us. They got their lead on so many free throws in that quarter. We fought our way back and got a lead, but we couldn’t get the shots to fall in the final minutes.” On the rivalry with Detroit: “The games have always been close. They’re (Detroit) a physical team and we are too. We play very tough against each other.” HIDDEN NUMBERS Points in the paint: Fever 20, Shock 24 Second-chance points: Fever 7, Shock 8 Fast-break points: Fever 4, Shock 10 Points off turnovers: Fever 17, Shock 10 Starters scoring: Fever 56, Shock 46 Bench scoring: Fever 9, Shock 24

GAME REPORT
	Shock 70, Fever 66
August 1, 2006 at the Palace of Auburn Hills (Detroit, MI) Box Score | WNBA Recap

DETROIT, MI – Tamika Catchings and Tamika Whitmore each scored better than 20 points in the same game for the third time this season on Tuesday. However, it wasn’t enough as the Detroit Shock edged the Indiana Fever 70-66 in a potential preview of a first-round playoff match-up at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Catchings scored a game-high 22 points while shooting 6-of-14 from the floor, to go along with seven rebounds, six assists and three steals. Whitmore followed with 21 points and nine rebounds for Indiana (17-11).

Detroit got a lift off its bench, with its reserves scoring 24 points in the game led by Kara Braxton’s season-high 16 points and five rebounds. Swin Cash and Katie Smith each had 12 as Detroit improved its record to 19-8.

In a game that saw 11 ties and 12 lead changes, neither team led by more than seven points. Catchings’ 3-pointer from put the Fever back in front 53-52 late in the third quarter.

Detroit then went on an 11-3 run, including seven unanswered, to close out the third quarter before extending its lead to six at 59-53.

The Fever responded with a run of its own, outscoring the Shock 11-4 in the fourth quarter. Another Catchings 3-pointer put Indiana back in front 64-63 with 3:48 left in regulation.

Trailing 66-64 with 33.4 seconds remaining, Catchings drove to her right looking to draw a foul. No foul was called, and her shot was off the mark with Detroit corralling the rebound. Smith would then hit a pair of free throws to put the Shock in front by four.

Anna DeForge knocked down a turn-around jumper from just inside the 3-point line with Deanna Nolan in her face, make the score 68-66. Smith, though, returned to the line and sunk two more free throws to preserve the win for Detroit.

Indiana and Detroit could meet in the first round of the playoffs as the regular season’s end draws near. Detroit is in second place and Indiana sits third in the East, with the second and third place teams meeting in the opening round of the postseason set to begin is just over two weeks. The two teams split the four-game season series.