Indiana Fever are now one game away from their first WNBA championship after beating Minnesota Lynx 79-56 at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Friday night.
The hosts were dominant in every department, they were held to just six points in the fourth quarter as Minnesota scored 21 but it didn’t matter; the outcome was never in doubt. Shavonte Zellous scored a career-high 30 points to lead Indiana within sight of a WNBA title.
After being held to just three points in game two, Indiana’s Erlana Larkins was her back to usual self with a double-double of 10 points and 15 rebounds. Tamika Catchings had 17 as she continues her consistent run of performances.
Minnesota, the reigning WNBA champions now have to play to save their title at what is sure to another full house in Indiana on Sunday night. Rebekkah Brunson was the only Lynx player in double figures as she posted 12 points. Star trio Seimone Augustus and Maya Moore were held to a combined total of 14 points as Fever’s defence tightened up after game two.
Despite a reasonably close first period of play, where both teams exchanged leads for the majority, Indiana finished the stronger and led 21-16 going into quarter number two, which is when it turned into a nightmare for the visitors.
A 10-2 run by Fever started the second and the lead only grew as the quarter went on. At the half, Indiana were up 45-27, despite a buzzer-beater to end it from Maya Moore.
An 18-0 run in the third quarter sealed Minnesota’s fate as the Fever ran riot to lead 61-29 and the hosts never looked back. The third quarter ended with the hosts up 70-38 and a 21-6 fourth quarter from the Lynx was rendered meaningless.
Game four is Sunday night.
