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Catchings scores 24 as Fever rout Shock 100-72

Jul 9, 2010 - 3:03 AM INDIANAPOLIS(AP) -- The Indiana Fever weren't caught looking ahead to the All-Star break.

All-Stars Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas sparked the Fever early, and the Indiana bench did the rest in a 100-72 rout of the Tulsa Shock on Thursday night.

The Fever (11-6) moved within two games of Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta (14-5) and one game of second-place Washington (12-5).

Following Saturday's WNBA vs. USA Basketball All-Star game, Indiana hosts fourth-place Connecticut (10-8) on July 14 and Atlanta on July 16.

"It was a good way to end with a bang," said Douglas, who had 17 points and will play for the WNBA All-Stars. "By no means is the season over, it's just the halfway point, but it was a fun, total team effort."

In previous seasons, the Fever have struggled in games before the All-Star break.

"It was definitely a good showing for us," said Catchings, who scored 24 points and will play for the Team USA. "Before the game we talked about coming out and jumping on them. We wanted to keep it rolling."

Once Eastern Conference rivals, the Fever and Shock are now in different conferences heading in different directions.

Indiana won its seventh straight home game and came within three points of tying the franchise record of 103 points scored against Phoenix in September 2008. The Fever's bench set a team record with 50 points.

Amber Holt had 18 points, Jennifer Lacy scored 12 and Chante Black grabbed 12 rebounds for the Shock (3-14), who lost their 11th straight game. Tulsa, which moved from Detroit this season, lost 13 consecutive in 2002. The league record is 17, set by Atlanta in 2008.

"We were looking for a win," Black said. "Unfortunately, we couldn't manage a stop."

The Fever extended a 21-18 first-quarter lead to as much as 22 points in the second. Catchings' 3-pointer gave Indiana a 56-34 advantage to end the first half and capped a franchise-best 35-point quarter. It was the third-highest point total for a half in franchise history.

Indiana shot 58 percent from the field in the first half, compared to Tulsa's 31 percent. Catchings' 18 points and Briann January's 11 led the Fever.

"Indiana lit it up," Shock coach Nolan Richardson said. "They played an exceptional game. They moved the ball, hit open shots and made their free throws. They could have beaten the (Los Angeles) Lakers tonight."

The Fever extended the lead to 79-44 late in the third quarter, and the Shock didn't get any closer than 28 in the final period.

"I don't know what it was tonight," Catchings said of Indiana's offensive outburst. "We played really unselfish, passing the ball, finding open players and knocking down open shots. That's what we have to build on."

Shavonte Zellous had 16 points and January scored 13 to lead the Fever bench.

"They did an outstanding job," Douglas said of Indiana's reserves. "Some games they are in there for their energy, but tonight they put up a lot of points. It's a thrill for the starters to be on the bench and watch them get a lot of opportunities and confidence."