Bevilaqua Signs With Fever

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Kevin Pelton, storm.wnba.com | Feb. 23, 2005

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The Seattle Storm lost the second member of its 2004 WNBA Champion roster to free agency today, with reserve guard Tully Bevilaqua signing as an unrestricted free agent with the Indiana Fever. The Fever also signed guard Katrina Hibbert, a member of the Storm's inaugural 2000 roster who scored the first basket in franchise history.

Bevilaqua could become a starter in Indiana. Barry Gossage/NBAE/Getty

Bevilaqua, who signed with the Storm as a free agent on Apr. 29, 2003 after her former team, the Portland Fire, folded, spent two years as the backup to All-Star point guard Sue Bird. Bevilaqua averaged 2.1 points and 0.9 assists with the Storm, playing in 65 regular-season games. Bevilaqua averaged 2.8 points, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game during the 2004 WNBA Playoffs as the Storm matched to the WNBA Championship.

Bevilaqua's biggest game with the Storm came in Game 2 of the Storm's series with the Minnesota Lynx. After Bird was forced out of the lineup by a broken nose, Bevilaqua scored nine points, grabbed five rebounds, handed out four assists and came up with four steals in 27 minutes of action without committing a turnover.

As a six-year veteran, Bevilaqua was an unrestricted free agent.

"One of my goals this offseason was to sign a veteran point guard who brought energy, leadership and toughness to our team," Fever Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Kelly Krauskopf said in a statement announcing the signing. "Not only is Tully a six-year veteran of the league, she also brings an understanding of competing at the highest level after playing an integral role in last season’s WNBA Championship."