Catchings helps Fever beat Sun, increasing lead in Eastern Conference

Catchings helps Fever beat Sun

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Tamika Catchings scored 26 points to help the Indiana Fever beat Connecticut 79-66 on Sunday, eliminating the Sun from playoff contention for the second straight season.

Indiana (21-10) increased its lead in the Eastern Conference to 1.5 game sover idle New York. The Fever closed the game on an 18-3 run over the final 5½ minutes.

Tina Charles led Connecticut with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Charles, who has 368 rebounds this season, set WNBA single season records for most rebounds in the season, surpassing Cheryl Ford’s previous mark of 363. Charles also set a single season record with her 20th double-double.

Renee Montgomery added 12 points and Asjha Jones scored 11 for Connecticut (15-16).

Jones made a free throw with 5:36 left to give the Sun a 63-61 lead. Jessica Davenport scored six straight points for the Fever, including a foul line jumper with 4:36 left to give Indiana the lead for good.

Davenport scored eight of her 10 points in the final 6:21. She entered the game after Ebony Hoffman fouled out.

Katie Douglas scored 10 for the Fever.

The Sun used a 13-3 run at the end of the third period to take a 54-50 lead heading to the fourth period.