Caitlin Clark scored 25 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 8:06 remaining as the visiting Indiana Fever earned an 85-75 victory over the league-worst Connecticut Sun Saturday night in a Commissioner’s Cup game.
Clark made 10 of 17 shots, including 5 of 10 3-point tries. The guard’s biggest shot occurred after the Sun took a one-point lead on a cutting layup by Aneesah Morrow with 8:20 to go.
Following an Indiana timeout, Kelsey Mitchell found Clark slightly open. From the top of the key and while being tightly guarded by Leila Lacan, Clark sank a 3 for a 67-65 lead.
Clark hit a 32-foot 3 for a 72-65 lead with 5:22 remaining, though that shot did not clinch it. A technical free throw by Kennedy Burke with 2 1/2 minutes left sliced the lead to 74-72.
Sophie Cunningham responded, hitting two 3s in a span of 32 seconds for an 80-72 lead with 94 seconds left.
Mitchell added 19 points for the Fever (8-5, 4-1 Commissioner’s Cup), who shot 49.2% and hit 12 of 29 3-point tries. Aaliayah Boston contributed 13 points and 11 rebounds while Cunningham hit three 3s in the final 2:06 as part of an 11-point showing. The Fever won a third straight game for the second time this season.
Olivia Nelson-Ododa led the Sun (2-13, 0-5 CC) with 12 points. Leila Lacan added 11 while Burke and Brittney Griner contributed 10 apiece as the Sun dropped their fifth straight and shot 42.7%.
Following an early six-point deficit, the Fever took an eight-point lead on a 3 by Raven Johnson with 2:28 left and settled for a 30-29 lead through the opening quarter. The Sun held a 36-34 lead on a hoop by Saniya Rivers, and the Fever ended the half with a 13-2 run for a 47-38 halftime lead.
The Fever appeared on their way to seizing control when Clark’s 27-foot 3-pointer gave them a 54-44 lead with 7:37 left in the third. Two free throws by Lexie Hull also gave the Fever a 10-point lead with 5:18 left, but the Sun ended the quarter with a 13-6 run and Indiana held a 63-60 lead into the fourth
–Field Level Media
