WNBA- Fever Close to WNBA Title after Beating Mercury in Game 3

                                                                                         

They won Game 2. They’ve become more disciplined and harmonized. And now, after beating the Phoenix Mercury 86-85 in Game 3 of the finals series, the Indiana Fever are closer than ever to achieving their first WNBA title. The Fever are now up 2-1 in the series and may be able to close the match on Wednesday at the Conseco Field House.

Mercury, however, is not yet defeated; the team is still hoping for a win on Wednesday that will tie up the series and give the players a chance to obtain another title.

Indiana began Game 2 with high energy and determination, making a 15-5 run with only 4:52 left in the first quarter. Phoenix reacted in the form of shots by Cappie Pondexter and Nicole Ohlde, cutting the lead to 22-17 at the end of the first.

In the second, the Mercury worked even harder; more great shooting by Pondexter, along with shots from Lecoe Willingham and Diana Taurasi moved the score up to a tie twice. Pondexter alone scored 9 points in the quarter by consistently driving into the paint, helping her team to push the ball and take control of the tempo. Making 30 points in the quarter, the Mercury managed a 3-point lead by halftime, leaving the score at 47-44.

In the third quarter, however, Indiana responded: Tamika Catchings scored 4 points at the beginning of the quarter and tied the game twice. Phoenix reacted quickly, though, making several baskets and gaining a 57-51 lead with 5:23 left to play. But with the Fever making 26 points in the quarter – to the Mystics’ 20 – Indiana was able to take the lead, 70-67.

Entering the final quarter, Indiana took a brief 4-point lead in the first minutes of the quarter. Phoenix answered with a layup by Taurasi to tie the game 75-75. However, a technical foul called on Taurasi and a foul to Briann January gave the Fever a three-point lead, 80-77. Phoenix’s Willingham and Penny Taylor made shots to give the Phoenix a 1-point lead, 85-84, but the lead wasn’t to last. With only 57 seconds left in the game, the Fever’s Ebony Hoffman made an incredible long distance shot to put the score 86-85 in favor of the Fever. Phoenix was unable to respond but did make several attempts at plays. The team lost the game 86-85.

At the end of the game, Pondexter described Game 3 as the most difficult for the Phoenix in the series. Her team will need to overcome the loss in order to keep its chance at another WNBA title alive.

“Game 3 is probably the hardest we fought out of this whole series, and it’s tough when you lose like that. So now, it’s more mental than anything. Game 4, I think we have to be stronger mentally, and the rest will take care of itself.”

Catchings, on the other hand, stated that the Fever would continue working hard for the next win.

“Tomorrow we're not going to have a day off, we're going to come in and start looking at Wednesday, and everybody has to stay focused and we have to stay hungry. That's the biggest thing, I think a lot of teams get content especially when you go up 2-1, they get a little down, but we have to stay on our toes and keep them on their heels," Catchings said.

The best scorers for the Fever were Ebony Hoffman with 18 points and 4 rebounds; Briann January with 17 points; Katie Douglas with 15 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds; and ultimately Tamika Catchings with 14 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists. For the Mercury the best scorers were Cappie Pondexter with 23 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds; Diana Taurasi with 18 points and 7 rebounds; Lecoe Willingham with 17 points and 5 rebounds; and finally Penny Taylor with 10 points and 5 rebounds.

About the author:
Ally White is a top senior copy writer on WNBA games and sports action for the sportsbetting www.instantactionsports.com/.
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