Fever-Sun Preview

By KATE HEDLIN
Posted Jun 10 2010 3:48PM

The Indiana Fever pride themselves on defense and are coming off their best effort at that end of the floor in nearly two years. The Connecticut Sun have been just as stingy recently.

In a meeting of the WNBA's best defensive clubs, the Fever go for their fourth straight win Friday night when they visit the Sun, who will try to improve to 6-0 at home.

Since losing its first two games by a combined 11 points, Indiana (5-3) has moved within 1 1/2 games of the Eastern Conference lead.

The key has been constantly improving defense, as the Fever held their last three opponents to fewer than 60 points. Indiana is allowing league lows of 68.1 points per game and 39.5 percent shooting.

Indiana's defensive performance Sunday was one of its best ever, as the Fever set a franchise record by holding Minnesota to 20.7 percent from the field in an 89-51 win. The club gave up its lowest point total since a 50-48 loss at Washington on July 8, 2008.

"We're an energy defensive team," coach Lin Dunn said. "I thought tonight we probably defended as well as we have defended since back to the playoffs."

The Fever were led at the offensive end by Tamika Catchings, who scored 27 points, shot 7 of 9 from the field and hit all three of her 3-point attempts. She totaled 26 points and shot 6 of 18 in her previous two games.

Indiana and Connecticut split four meetings last season, with each team winning twice at home. They meet Sunday in the finale of this home-and-home series.

The Sun (5-2) will turn their formidable defensive focus to Catchings, as they are second to the Fever in scoring defense at 72.4 points a game. Connecticut's last three opponents each scored fewer than 70.

The Sun have won two in a row, defeating San Antonio 81-68 on Sunday. Tina Charles had 19 points and 11 rebounds as the Sun remained unbeaten at home despite trailing for most of the first half.

Connecticut has won seven in a row at Mohegan Sun Arena since a 90-70 loss to Detroit on Aug. 25.

"We are getting there, little by little," coach Mike Thibault said. "I think the players are excited. I think they see the potential of all the things we can do."

After Friday's game, the Sun play three straight on the road.

Montgomery scores 29 to lift Sun over Fever 86-77

Posted Jun 11 2010 9:55PM

UNCASVILLE, Conn.(AP) Renee Montgomery scored a career-high 29 points to lead the Connecticut Sun to an 86-77 victory over the Indiana Fever on Friday night.

Montgomery made a 3-pointer and two free throws during a 15-5 run in the final 3:08 that helped the Sun (6-2) seal the victory.

Tina Charles added 12 points and 12 rebounds for Connecticut, while Sandrine Gruda scored 12 points and Tan White had 10. The Sun made a season-high 10 3-point field goals.

Jessica Davenport scored a career-high 18 points for the Fever (5-4). Katie Douglas added 15 points for Indiana, while Ebony Hoffman scored 13 and Tamika Catchings had 12 points and eight rebounds.

Douglas hit a 3-pointer with 3:08 remaining to give Indiana a 72-71 lead. Montgomery's 3 with two minutes left put Connecticut ahead 77-72.

Connecticut had a 45-39 lead at halftime, but the Fever outscored the Sun 23-12 in the third period to take a 62-57 lead heading to the fourth.

Indiana made three straight 3-pointers midway through the second period - two from Hoffman - that helped cut into an 11-point deficit.

Montgomery made a 3-pointer at the first-quarter horn to give the Sun a 26-16 lead.

• Fever: --
• Sun: --

• Fever: --
• Sun: --

• Lead Changes: 8
• Times Tied: 4

• Arena: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
• Officials: #39 Michael Price, #11 Lauren Bass, #45 Tom Mauer
• Attendance: 7603
• Duration: 1:54