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Indiana Fever defeated Connecticut behind Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell

Vaseline August 29, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS — With a star-studded stadium, the Indiana Fever defeated the Sun on Wednesday night at a hyped-up Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Indiana’s 84-80 victory helped the Fever avoid being swept by the Sun. It was a major turnaround for a Fever team that had lost to Connecticut three times earlier this season, including one when coach Christie Sides pulled her starters in the second half.

Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles and Gabby Thomas were in the audience, as well as entertainment icon and Indianapolis resident David Letterman and Colts QB Anthony Richardson.

More: Caitlin Clark puts Freddy Fever in the spotlight, but no one seems to know what kind of creature he is

The Fever now sit at 15-16, seventh in the league, and have solidified their position in the play-offs.

Here are three observations:

Fever comes out hot against the sun

Before Wednesday night, the Fever had five games in which they had 50 or more points at halftime, all against teams they had beaten easily all season — three against Atlanta and two against Phoenix.

Wednesday was the sixth time — against a team the Fever was 0-3 against going into the game. But Indiana is a different team than when the teams last met in June.

After starting the game down 8-2, Indiana easily took control of the score, shooting 50% (9 of 18) from 3-point range in the first half and leading the Sun, the league’s second-best team, by nine points at halftime.

Previously, the Fever won all five games, scoring 50+ points in the first half.

This time it was a little tougher. The Fever were up by just two points with a minute to go, and the Fever and Sun traded baskets. It was a tough game — the Sun are veterans and have experience fighting for the ball.

The teams traded baskets in the final stretch under Sun center Alyssa Thomas, who gave the ball away with 24 seconds left. That’s when Connecticut started fouling.

Lexie Hull sealed the win with two free throws with just seconds left, saving the Fever from beating the league’s second-best team.

Lexie Hull gets second start of the season

After starting the second half on Monday night as a replacement for Katie Lou Samuelson, Fever guard Lexie Hull got another chance on Wednesday.

Sides said Samuelson pulled herself out of the game after feeling unwell Monday night, and that she was listed on the injury report Wednesday for personal reasons. Samuelson warmed up and was eventually deemed available, but did not play.

And Hull took advantage of the opportunity. After three consecutive games with 20+ minutes, they showed on Wednesday night why they deserved it.

Hull was aggressive all game, fighting for rebounds and extending possession for the Fever. She found herself in clutch moments on the offensive end and delivered: Caitlin Clark lost and regained control of the ball in one possession, handing the ball to Hull with just seconds left on the clock. Hull, off-balance and with one hand, threw a 3-pointer that fizzled through the net.

Hull eventually made 4 of 5 three-pointers for 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists.

Kelsey Mitchell scores fifth straight game with 20+ points

With three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Kelsey Mitchell found himself wide open in the 3-point corner near Connecticut’s bench. Whether it was a defensive lapse by Connecticut or intentional, Lexie Hull threw the ball to Mitchell. Swish.

That shot gave the Fever a one-point lead with just minutes left in the game. And it gave Mitchell her fifth straight game with 21+ points — all coming after the Olympic break. She’s averaging 26.2 points since the break, which is both the Fever’s leading scorer and one of the highest in the league.

Mitchell’s goals have been key to the Fever’s 4-1 record since halftime, including three wins over teams with a .500 or better record.

She finished the match with 23 points on 8 of 14 shots.