The Herald Bulletin

Morning Update

Pro Sports

Discussion

July 6, 2009

Fever beat Dream 78-74 to win 8th straight

The Associated Press Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — INDIANAPOLIS — Just when it looked like the Indiana Fever’s winning streak was in jeopardy, Tammy Sutton-Brown took over.

Indiana’s center scored seven of her 22 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Fever past the Atlanta Dream 78-74 on Sunday for their franchise-best eighth straight victory.

Sutton-Brown went 7 of 14 from the field, made all eight of her free throws and grabbed nine rebounds for the Fever (8-2), who avenged a season-opening loss to Atlanta to remain the WNBA’s best team.

“Tammy has been playing phenomenal the last couple games, not just tonight,” said Indiana forward Tamika Catchings, who added 19 points, nine rebounds and six steals. “It seems like she’s getting fire in her. She needs to play like that every game.”

Trailing by one entering the fourth quarter, Indiana went on an 8-0 run to take a 66-59 lead. Sutton-Brown scored seven of the points, including an acrobatic shot while falling.

“If she plays like that, it takes pressure off everybody,” Catchings said. “When she does her job down low, she’s able to get easy baskets for herself and the rest of the team.”

Atlanta, which held a five-point lead in the third quarter, got within 76-74 on Angel McCoughtry’s layup with 19 seconds left. Following Tully Bevilaqua’s free throw, however, Jennifer Lacy’s 3-pointer came up short.

“We never got rattled,” Indiana coach Lin Dunn said. “In crunch time, our defense stepped up.”

In the fourth quarter, the Dream shot 31 percent and made all four of their free throw attempts. Indiana shot just 21 percent, but made 14 of 17 free throws.

“We are very focused right now,” Sutton-Brown said. “Defense is our staple and we feed off it. We work on it every day in practice.”

Sancho Lyttle had 18 points, and Erika de Souza and McCoughtry each scored 15 for the Dream (5-7), who lost for the third time in four games.

“We had too many turnovers at critical points,” de Souza said. “I think our lack of experience has hurt us, but we are improving with each game.”

The win was extra sweet for Indiana, which lost to the Dream 87-86 in double overtime on June 6.

“From the first game to this game, they’re a totally different team and we’re a totally different team,” Catchings said. “It was a huge challenge for both teams, but thank God we came out on top.”

Text Only
Pro Sports
  • Hibbert.jpg Dirk, Pierce All-Stars; runs end for KG, Duncan

    Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce overcame slow starts to return to the All-Star game, but the lengthy runs of Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan are over.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • Diaz.jpg UFC’s Nick Diaz fails drug test

    UFC welterweight Nick Diaz tested positive for marijuana after his loss to Carlos Condit on Saturday night and faces disciplinary action, including a possible suspension and fine, the head of the Nevada Athletic Commission said Thursday.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0209 Pacers.jpg Atlanta snaps to life against Pacers

    Josh Smith is skeptical about his chances of making the All-Star Game for the first time.
    He sure played like he deserves to go.
    Smith scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in his final game before the All-Star reserves are announced, leading the Hawks to a 97-87 victory over the Indiana Pacers that snapped Atlanta’s three-game home losing streak Wednesday night.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • Brady.jpg Patriots’ mistakes prove costly

    It’s going to be an offseason of what-ifs for the New England Patriots, who lost to the Giants 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

    February 6, 2012 1 Photo

  • e665d357b99b6403060f6a70670008f1.jpg Quarterback cements his Eli(te) status

    Early this season, Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning made headlines for mentioning that he considered himself among the game’s best quarterbacks. There is no debate anymore. Manning was brilliant in the Giants’ 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots and was named the game's MVP for the second time.

    February 6, 2012 2 Photos

  • Todd Golden: Little brother takes over Peyton’s place

    New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning made sure Colts fans could remember the Super Bowl with a spring in their step. On the same field where older brother Peyton has cemented his Hall of Fame legacy, Eli put down a foundation stone of his own.

    February 6, 2012

  • spt_elimanningmvp.jpg Manning leads Giants to fourth title

    Eli Manning completed 30-of-40 passes for 296 yards and a touchdown in rallying the New York Giants to a 21-17 win over New England in Super Bowl XLVI Sunday night at Lucas Oil Stadium.

    February 6, 2012 1 Photo 1 Slideshow

  • Pats-Giants 2.jpg Now, not then

    The New England Patriots will attempt to make history today in Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium.
    But history is on the New York Giants’ side.

    February 5, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0205 spts ARodg.jpg Rodgers takes MVP at ‘NFL Honors’

    Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers received a standing ovation after Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning announced Saturday the Packers’ offensive powerhouse had been selected by The Associated Press as the National Football League’s Most Valuable Player for 2011.

    February 5, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0205 spts HOF.jpg Class of 2012 called to Hall

    Six new members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame were announced Saturday evening. The new inductees are cornerback Jack Butler, center Dermontti Dawson, defensive end Chris Doleman, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, running back Curtis Martin and offensive tackle Willie Roaf.

    February 4, 2012 1 Photo