Tamika Catchings scores 24 points to help Fever cruise past Shock 100-72

Catchings scores 24 as Fever rout Shock 100-72

INDIANAPOLIS — Tamika Catchings scored 24 points to lead the Indiana Fever to a 100-72 victory over the Tulsa Shock on Thursday night.

Katie Douglas had 17 points and Shavonte Zellous scored 16 for the Fever (11-6), who won their seventh straight home game to move within two games of Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta (14-5). Washington (12-5) is one game back of the Dream.

Indiana’s point total was the second-highest in franchise history, behind the 103 it scored against Phoenix in September 2008. The Fever’s bench set a franchise record with 50 points.

Amber Holt had 18 points, Jennifer Lacy scored 12 and Chante Black grabbed 12 rebounds for the Shock (3-14), who lost their 11th straight game.

The Fever extended a 21-18 first-quarter lead to as much as 22 points in the second. Catchings’ 3-pointer gave Indiana a 56-34 advantage to end the first half and capped a franchise-best 35-point quarter. It was the third-highest point total for a half in franchise history.

Indiana shot 58 percent from the field in the first half, compared to Tulsa’s 31 percent. Catchings’ 18 points and Briann January’s 11 led the Fever.

The Fever extended the lead to 79-44 late in the third quarter, and the Shock didn’t get any closer than 28 in the final period.