WASHINGTON (AP) — Tamika Catchings had 23 points and 10 rebounds as the surging Indiana Fever swept the home-and-home series from the Washington Mystics with a 65-52 win on Sunday.
Shavonte Zellous scored 12 points for the Fever (7-8), who have won six of seven games after suffering a seven-game losing streak. The defending WNBA champions opened a double figure lead in the second quarter and only briefly let the margin slip back into single digits.
The teams got off to an unsightly offensive start, tying the WNBA record for fewest combined points in the first quarter with 17.
The Fever closed the first half on 12-1 run, including the final seven points, and Zellous opened the third quarter with two free throws for a 32-16 lead. Catchings’ free throws later in the quarter capped an 8-0 spurt as Indiana led 42-24 and 49-36 entering the fourth quarter.
Monique Currie had 15 points for the Mystics (8-9).
