PORTLAND, Ore, June 20 (Ticker) -- Nikki McCray is demonstrating why the Indiana Fever acquired her.

McCray scored 20 of her career-high 30 points in the second half as the Fever rallied for an 81-72 victory over the Portland Fire.

Indiana managed just eight baskets in the first half as Portland built a 30-22 lead. The Fire misfired on nine of their first 10 shots but closed the half with a 19-7 run. The Fever committed 14 turnovers in the first half.

Indiana opened the second half with a 23-8 run, capped by Olympia Scott-Richardson's basket with 12:42 that built a 45-38 advantage. The Fire closed within 61-58 on a three-point play by DeMya Walker with 5:31 remaining.

Tamika Catchings and the Fever outscored Portland 59-42 in the second half. Sam Forencich NBAE/Getty Images

McCray scored six points to fuel an 8-0 run as Indiana held off the Fire. McCray made 11-of-13 shots, including a pair of 3-pointers.

Rookie Tamika Catchings scored 17 of her 22 points in the second half to go with nine rebounds and Scott-Richardson scored all 10 of her points in the second half. Indiana was 31-of-37 from the free-throw line, including a 12-of-14 performance by Catchings.

LaQuanda Barksdale scored a career-high 13 points and Walker added 12 on 5-of-7 shooting for Portland.