Fever Tie the Series - Next Game Win or Go Home

September 25, 2009


Shock falls to Fever, who force decisive Game 3
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Tamika Catchings scored 22 points as the Indiana Fever defeated the Detroit Shock, 79-75, tonight in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals in Indianapolis to tie the series at 1-1.

Catchings also had nine rebounds, six steals and five assists. Katie Douglas scored 14 points, Ebony Hoffman added 13 and Briann January 12.

Deanna Nolan scored 23 points for the Shock and Shavonte Zellous added 19 off the bench. Cheryl Ford had eight points and 13 rebounds.

The Shock outrebounded Indiana, 41-27, but the Fever was 20-for-30 from the free-throw line.

Indiana set a postseason record with 18 steals and scored 28 points off Detroit’s 24 turnovers. The defensive effort made up for Detroit’s 48-37 rebounding edge.

Catchings went down hard after a drive to the basket with 3:06 left in the third quarter and the Fever trailing 50-48. A fanbase that saw the 2007 season ruined when Catchings tore her right Achilles’ tendon in the playoffs waited with an uneasy silence. She stayed down for a few minutes, but got up with an angry, determined look in her eyes. Indiana outscored Detroit 31-25 the rest of the way.

The series finale is Saturday night at 7 in Indianapolis.

We knew Indiana would come out fighting tonight. The bad part was we actually beat ourselves. The Shock tied a post-season record of 24 turnovers tonight. With the turnovers they only lost the game by a score of 79 to 75. Each team has won a battle and now the real war with the final victory will be tomorrow. Its going to be physical (it started tonight - but it will be more intense tomorrow night). The team with the greatest will, best focus and most determination will be the victor. I'm still believing in the Shock and will be ready for the battle to begin Saturday evening at 7:00.

I would enjoy watching that game live. Those who say the WNBA is boring should turn in to the game.

If the Shock take care of business, it sounds like they'll win.

Here's hoping.