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Friday, July 11, 2025B Sectionindianapolisrecorder.comBy NORAL PARHAMnoralp@indyrecorder.comThe Indiana Fever hoisted their first-ever WNBA Commissioner%u2019s Cup trophy on July 1. They defeated the Minnesota Lynx 74-59 at Target Center, earning the team a $500,000 prize and triggering a $23,000 donation to their community partner, the Peace Learning Center in Indianapolis. Forward Natasha Howard was named the game%u2019s Most Valuable Player.%u201cWe are really good when she (Howard) is aggressive,%u201d Lexie Hull said. %u201cShe was about to get downhill, get some easy buckets around the basket, it was huge. We need that from her every night.%u201d Howard led the Fever with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Her dominant third quarter (10 points) helped secure the victory. Aliyah Boston added 12 points and 11 rebounds. Sophie Cunningham scored 13 points. Guards Kelsey Mitchell and Aari McDonald each contributed 12 points. The Howard, Boston and Cunningham trio combined for 30 rebounds, matching the Lynx%u2019s entire team total (40-30).The Fever overcame a slow start. They trailed 20-12 after the first quarter. Indiana%u2019s defense then stifled Minnesota. The Lynx managed seven points in the second period. The Fever closed the half on a decisive 18-0 run, turning a deficit into a 32-27 halftime lead. They never relinquished control. Boston scored six points in the fourth quarter, and Cunningham added five more to seal the victory.This triumph marks Indiana%u2019s first trophy since winning the 2012 WNBA championship. It comes in their first appearance in the Cup final. The win underscores a significant shift for the young team. They are proving capable of beating the league%u2019s elite. In June, the Fever snapped the New York Liberty%u2019s nine-game winning streak. They also secured a victory over the Seattle Storm. They%u2019ve toppled the Western Conference-leading Lynx on their home floor for the Cup.Howard earned her 58th career double-double and third this season. Boston recorded her 34th career double-double, her eighth this year. Mitchell extended her double-digit scoring streak to 17 games across all competitions. She has scored 10+ points in every game this season.The Commissioner%u2019s Cup win provides tangible rewards and momentum. It also fuels belief within the franchise. The Fever aim for their first WNBA championship in over a decade, and beating championship contenders consistently suggests they might be on that path.Caitlin Clark, who missed the championship game with a left groin injury, did not hesitate to call out the naysayers doubting the Fever.%u201cI know the entire league is sick,%u201d Clark said while spraying the celebratory champagne throughout the locker room.Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on Facebook @HorsemenSportsMedia.By NORAL PARHAMnoralp@indyrecorder.comThe 4th of July holiday fireworks continued in Indianapolis as more than 9,000 fans gathered beneath the scorching sun for a weekend soccer showcase.Indy Eleven secured a decisive 3-0 victory over Monterey Bay FC at Carroll Stadium on July 5. Goals from Aodhan Quinn, Jack Blake and Romario Williams powered the decisive win.The %u2018Boys in Blue%u2019 started strong. Quinn opened the scoring in the eighth minute. He finished a pass from Jack Blake for his third score this season. Quinn%u2019s 57th career USL Championship goal tied him for 21st all-time. Blake%u2019s assist was his 25th in league play. He converted a penalty kick just before halftime. That made it 2-0 and marked Indy%u2019s 14th first-half goal this season. Blake now leads the team with four goals in 2025. His career USLC total stands at 36.Goalkeeper Hunter Sulte recorded his third clean sheet of the season while making several key saves. The defensive line, including Elvis Amoh and Cam Lindley, stifled Monterey Bay attacks from the start. James Murphy provided steady midfield coverage.Romario Williams sealed the win in the 83rd minute. He scored off a pass from Oliver Bryn%u00e9us for his third goal this campaign. It was Williams%u2019 63rd career USLC goal, tying him for 15th all-time.The win moves Indy Eleven to seventh place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference. They have 17 points throughout 14 matches. Monterey Bay FC sits seventh in the West with 19 points.Indy Eleven concludes its %u201cSummer of Soccer presented by Indy Roof & Restoration%u201d next Saturday, July 12. They host Rhode Island FC at 7 p.m. in a 2024 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals rematch. The theme is %u201cStar Wars Night.%u201dFans can enter the %u201cSummer of Soccer Getaway%u201d sweepstakes until July 14. The grand prize is a trip for two to Indy%u2019s away match in Charleston on Sept. 6. It includes flights, hotel and a food stipend. Other prizes include team merchandise and gift cards. Social media giveaways and exclusive merchandise drops are also planned.Head coach Sean McAuley noted the approaching season midpoint. %u201cWe%u2019ve got one more game until we get to the halfway point,%u201d McAuley said. %u201cIt%u2019s going to be a really tough game.%u201d Single-game tickets are available via Ticketmaster. Flex plans and group tickets can be found on the team website.Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on Facebook @HorsemenSportsMedia. The Indy Eleven defeated Monterey Bay Football Club 3-0 on July 5, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo/Walt Thomas)Fever capture first Commissioner%u2019s Cup, eye bigger prizeIndy Eleven dominates Monterey Bay FC 3-0(Photo/Associated Press)Fever defeat Aces for the first time in nearly six yearsThe Indiana Fever defeated the Las Vegas Aces 81-54 on July 3, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. (Photos/Mia Moore, She Shoots 317)