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Rookie Caitlin Clark stuffed the stat sheet for
Indiana (6-10), adding 18 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.
NaLyssa Smith contributed 11 points as the Fever canned 50.8
percent of their shots from the field and finished with a 37-31
advantage on the boards.
Ariel Atkins pumped in a game-high 27 points on 10-of-17
shooting for Washington (2-13), which suffered its 10th loss by
nine points or less. Karlie Samuelson added 16 points and five
assists, while Stefanie Dolson scored 14 points.
The Mystics never led but stayed close for the majority of the
game. They got within 70-68 with 7:03 left after a three-point
play from Emily Engstler, but Indiana rattled off the next seven
points, with Clark draining a 3-pointer from the right wing with
5:05 remaining to build a 77-68 cushion.
Washington sank 11 3-pointers in the final three periods but
converted just 41.4 percent of its attempts from the field for
the game. Julie Vanloo collected eight of the Mystics' 26
assists.
Indiana was in control for most of the first three quarters,
never trailing, but never putting Washington away, either. It
was able to open up a 21-17 lead after one frame by scoring via
post-ups and drives, a strategy that served it well all night.
The Mystics found their footing offensively in the second
quarter by cashing in from deep. After going 0-for-8 from long
range in the first quarter, Washington made six 3-pointers in
the second, allowing it to be within 46-43 at the break.
The Fever used the foul line to create a little separation in
the third quarter, getting there 11 times and sinking eight free
throws. Clark sank two foul shots at the 1:02 mark to give
Indiana a 68-59 advantage going into the fourth.
--Field Level Media [© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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