Most teams approach elimination games conservatively, but with optimism. Some teams, however, seem to revel in the opportunity, and the Indiana Fever certainly must be categorized as one of those, as they fought off elimination for the fifth time this post-season and outlasted the Minnesota Lynx 75–69, to send the WNBA Finals back to Minneapolis for a decisive Game Five and an opportunity to win their second WNBA championship.
The Fever came out aggressively against Minnesota, but the Lynx, who won game three at the buzzer, flexed their collective muscles and owned a five-point lead at the end of the first period. Indiana would respond with some spirited basketball in the second period and outscored their opposition by nine points to take a four-point lead into the locker room at halftime. The Fever continued the pace in the third quarter, outscoring the visitors by eight, and appeared to have things in hand as the final stanza began. The Lynx, however, would not go down easily, and they cranked it up a notch late, cutting in to the Fever lead, but the home team prevailed and held on to take the series to a final game.
Afterward, first-year Fever coach Stephanie White was gushing with praise for her squad, and she spoke about how they had matured as the season evolved.
“I’ve never been around a team that has grown this much throughout a year,” stated White. “We are happy to be playing another day.”
Notes: Tamika Catchings summed up her teammates as having “the heart of a champion.” She also stated, “Coach White lit us up” during an early third-period timeout after the Lynx outscored the Fever 6–0 to take the lead. Indiana would go on a 13–2 run after that timeout.
Minnesota’s Maya Moore led all scorers with 20 points and eight rebounds. Lindsay Whalen added 16 for the Lynx, and Seimone Augustus dropped in 10. The Lynx committed 12 turnovers and were hampered by foul trouble, which limited Sylvia Fowles to just five minutes of playing time in the first half.
The Fever, who had just one basket in the final period but offset that by connecting for 15 free throws, were led in scoring by Shenise Johnson, who had 15 points. Marissa Coleman added 14, while Briann January and Tamika Catchings registered 13 and 10 respectively.
Both teams struggled behind the three-point arc, combining for an anemic 5 for 21. The rebounding battle was dead even, with both teams collecting 24 caroms each.
Game Five of the WNBA Finals will be played Wednesday in Minneapolis and can be seen on ESPN2.
Danny Bridges, who owes the Fever an apology for incorrectly writing them off earlier in the season, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com
