Fever Shows Toughness in 73-66 Win vs. Seattle

STAR OF THE GAME Katie Douglas Not even a black eye could stop the hot-shooting Fever guard. Douglas scored 20 points, including three-of-five from three point range. UNSUNG HERO Ebony Hoffman Hoffman created mismatch problems all night, scoring 18 points to go along with six rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block. QUOTABLE Lin Dunn In general: “I was very pleased with our energy tonight. We were tough all night long. We just kept playing. I’m pleased that we won the boards. This team just refused to lose tonight. We made an adjustment on Jackson (Lauren) and got in a better position to defend her. We are a much better team when we are awake and not still on the plane.” Tammy Sutton-Brown On the physical nature of the game “It was a very physical game, but all games in the WNBA are physical. Katie (Douglas) went out of the game, came back. Pretty tough. We all had to focus on defense. Defense is a staple of this team. Our last game we had to put in a box and refocus and come through tonight. With limited players, the starting five played 30 plus minutes.” HIDDEN NUMBERS Points in the paint: Fever 16, Storm 28 Second-chance points: Fever 16, Storm 9 Fast-break points: Fever 16, Storm 10 Points off turnovers: Fever 18, Storm 11 Starters scoring: Fever 67, Storm 43 Bench scoring: Fever 6, Storm 23

GAME REPORT
	Fever 73, Storm 66
June 9, 2009 at Conseco Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, Ind.) Box Score | Recap | Feature: A Challenging June

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Katie Douglas scored 20 points to lead the Indiana Fever to a 73-66 victory over the Seattle Storm on Tuesday night.

Ebony Hoffman scored 18, and Tamika Catchings added 14 points and seven rebounds for the Fever (1-2), who avoided their worst start since 2001 and snapped a three-game losing streak against the Storm.

“Sunday’s game was so bad it was good to have it at the start of year instead of at the end," said Hoffman in reference to the Fever's 22-point home-opening loss to Minnesota. "We finally found our rhythm together and played the game. Both teams had runs. I think we got to the free throw line more than them. The third quarter was bad for us. Lauren Jackson is a great player, and all you can do is disrupt her.”

The Fever led 20-13 after the first quarter and boasted their largest lead, 12, with 7:08 to play in the second quarter when Douglas nailed consecutive 3-pointers. The lead did not hold up, however, and Seattle clawed to within two points at the intermission, 38-36.

Indiana scored 25 points on free throws, compared to just 13 for the Storm. Twelve Fever steals contributed to 20 Seattle turnovers, thanks in part to five thefts by Tully Bevilaqua, the former Storm guard who made her first start of the season.

Indiana's Yolanda Griffith, who played for the Storm last season, suffered a left ankle injury in the first quarter and did not return.

Lauren Jackson had 21 points; Swin Cash scored 14, and Sue Bird added 10 points and five assists for Seattle (2-1).

The Fever, who led by five entering the fourth quarter, used a 7-2 run to extend their lead to 65-56. Douglas, playing with a left eye contusion, hit a jumper to give Indiana a 69-60 advantage with four minutes left.