Detroit Takes Series In Two Games

STAR OF THE GAME TAMIKA WHITMORE Whitmore led all scorers with a career-high 41 points in the game. Her 41 points was the highest total in a playoff game in WNBA history. UNSUNG HERO OLYMPIA SCOTT Scott had 8 points on 4-of-5 shooting on the bench for Indiana. She also had five rebounds in the game. QUOTABLE BRIAN WINTERS In general: “It was a very physical basketball game. We held our own on the boards. Losing Tamika Catchings at a critical point in the game hurt. She banged her head and had to leave for a little bit. We didn't have her for about 10 minutes there." "I was just proud of the way my players played. They played hard and did a lot of very good things. Detroit's got a lot of firepower and they're a powerful team. They're a force to be reckoned with and they won the series.” On Tamika Whitmore: “I thought Whit (Tamika Whitmore) was absolutely tremendous today. It certainly wouldn't have been a competitive game if she didn't score like she did. She scored from every angle, from every place. Driving, posting, pick and pop shots. Elbow shots, threes - she did it all for us." BILL LAIMBEER In general: “It was a physical, knock-down, drag out game. In an elimination game like you saw tonight, they didn’t want to go away quietly. It was a tussle. [Tamika] Whitmore, what a great game she played, there’s no doubt about that, she kept them in the game." HIDDEN NUMBERS Points in the paint: Fever 28, Shock 56 Second-chance points: Fever 10, Shock 16 Fast-break points: Fever 0, Shock 11 Points off turnovers: Fever 9, Shock 19 Starters scoring: Fever 64, Shock 74 Bench scoring: Fever 19, Shock 24

GAME REPORT
	Shock 98, Fever 83
August 19, 2006 at the Palace of Auburn Hills (Detroit, MI) Box Score | WNBA Recap

DETROIT, MI – Tamika Whitmore scored a WNBA playoff-record 41 points on Saturday night as the Indiana Fever attempted to even its first-round playoff series with the Detroit Shock. Whitmore’s career night, though, would come in a losing effort as the host Shock bested the Fever 98-83 in the Palace of Auburn Hills.

With the win, Detroit swept Indiana in the best-of-three series and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals to face the winner of the Connecticut-Washington series. Detroit’s 98 points Saturday was its highest postseason offensive output in franchise history.

Whitmore’s career-high 41 points came on 15-of-25 shooting and 10-of-10 from the free throw line. Tamika Catchings finished with 11 points and six rebounds for Indiana.

Catchings suffered what was called a mild concussion after hitting her head on the floor while fighting for a lose ball midway through the third quarter. She did return, however was not able to help her team erase a double-digit fourth quarter deficit.

Cheryl Ford paced Detroit with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Swin Cash added 17 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, while Plenette Pierson netted 20 off Detroit’s bench.

Detroit outscored Indiana 18-6 in first four minutes of the fourth quarter before racing out to an 81-70 lead. The Shock led by as many as 17 late in regulation before coming away with its third consecutive win over Indiana.

After trailing for much of the first half, Detroit took its first lead of the game midway through the second quarter. A Kara Braxton lay-up made the score 25-24, Detroit. The Shock would go on a 7-2 run in the closing minutes of the second before leading 38-34 at the half.

Whitmore kept Indiana close, scoring 16 points in a first half that saw neither team lead by more than six points.

Following a Catchings bank-shot that regained the lead for Indiana, Detroit went on a 10-3 run to pull in front 57-52. The Fever responded with a run of its own, outscoring the Shock 9-1 to lead by three late in the third quarter. Indiana led 64-63 heading in the fourth quarter.