Final
Douglas leads Fever past Shock
Aug 16, 2009 - 2:37 AM By CLIFF BRUNT AP Sports WriterINDIANAPOLIS(AP) -- Double-digit deficits don't deter Indiana.
Katie Douglas scored 19 points, and the Indiana Fever came from 14 points behind in the second quarter to beat the Detroit Shock 82-59 on Saturday night.
It was the second time this season that the Fever overcame a hot start by the Shock to win easily. Indiana overcame a 17-point deficit in the second half of an 82-70 win over Detroit in June.
The Fever, who have the league's best record, won their 12th straight at home.
"There's definitely an amount of confidence - not arrogance, but confidence - about this group," Douglas said. "We're going to play hard for one another, we're going to play selfless for one another. No matter how a team is playing, we're going to continue to battle."
Rookie Briann January scored a career-high 17 points and Ebony Hoffman added 11 for the Fever (19-5).
Tamika Catchings had 10 points, nine rebounds and four steals. She became the third player in league history to reach 600 steals.
Shavonte Zellous led Detroit (9-13) with 16 points.
Detroit led 27-13 early in the second quarter, but Indiana recovered and led 39-38 at halftime. The Fever outscored the Shock 13-0 in the first four minutes of the second half to take a 52-38 lead, and Indiana maintained control from there.
Detroit shot 1-for-11 in the quarter. The one field goal was the fewest by any team in a quarter this season. Three teams in league history have failed to make a field goal in a quarter.
"Coach (Lin Dunn) came in at halftime and wasn't pleased with our post defense or our defense overall," Douglas said. "In the first quarter, we started off soft. After halftime, we made some adjustments. We were determined to do our philosophy, our gameplan. I think we executed it to a "T" in the third quarter."
Detroit shot 53 percent in the first half, but just 29 percent in the second.
"They made it difficult to get clean looks," Detroit coach Rick Mahorn said.
Sometimes, Detroit never got a look at all. Indiana scored 45 points off Detroit's 24 turnovers.
The Fever supported their defensive surge by shooting 50 percent in the second half.
"In my six years playing for Detroit, we've always been known for our defense," Detroit forward Cheryl Ford said. "But we did not play Detroit defense tonight."
January stepped in while starter Tully Bevilaqua was in foul trouble and delivered a strong 26 minutes.
"All of the coaches are in my ear telling me to stay aggressive because we feed off that, the drive and kick," January said. "We have so many people that can score off of that. It's great for our team."
Douglas said January has played well recently.
"Definitely after the All-Star break, she's not playing like a rookie," Douglas said. "She's been such a key for us, getting in there making things happen."
January's confidence stems from her teammates' success.
"We have so many people who can fill up the hoop," she said. "If we play solid defense and we're finding the person who's hot that night - because there's going to be one of us out of this 11, I guarantee it - we'll be fine."
- WNBA
DETROIT 59
INDIANA 82 FINAL
Aug 15 9:05 PM - WNBA
DETROIT 23
INDIANA 13 END, 1ST QTR
Aug 15 7:31 PM
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