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Fever even series against Sun with lopsided win

Aug 26, 2007 - 12:47 AM INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Anna DeForge and the Indiana Fever made sure they did not have to work overtime again against the Connecticut Sun.

DeForge scored 15 of her 26 points in the first half as the Fever rebounded from a heartbreaking loss to drub the Sun, 78-59, in the second game of their first round Eastern Conference playoff series Saturday.

Indiana, which dropped the opener, 93-88, in the first triple overtime game in WNBA playoff history after erasing a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter, hosts the deciding game of the best-of-three series Monday.

"We had to rebound," DeForge said. "We needed to respond from the triple-overtime loss. I think we did that."

After averaging just 8.7 points during the regular season, DeForge has elevated her game in the postseason, averaging 28.5 points in the two playoff games. She had 31 in the opener, which tied a career high.

"Toward the end of the season, Anna got into the flow, and that has carried over into the playoffs," Indiana coach Brian Winters said. "She is playing with a lot of confidence."

The Fever also received a boost from Tamika Catchings, who recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Catchings returned in Game One after missing 13 games with a torn foot muscle.

DeForge made 6-of-8 shots in the first half, when the Fever built a 40-21 cushion. Indiana led by as many as many as 25 in the second half.

The Fever snapped a five-game playoff losing streak and a five-game slide against the Sun, who swept the regular season series, 4-0.

"They outplayed us in the first half," Connecticut coach Mike Thibault said. "We had turnovers and our best shooters didn't make shots."

Katie Douglas scored 11 points for Connecticut, which is looking to reach the Eastern Conference final for the fourth straight year.