Catchings shines in Fever’s win over Storm

Tamika Catchings scored 18 points to help the Indiana Fever beat the Seattle Storm 69-62 on Sunday in Indianapolis.

Indiana overcame a nine-point third-quarter deficit to improve to 4-0 at home. Anna DeForge scored 14 points, and Tamika Whitmore added 13 points for the Fever.

Betty Lennox led Seattle with 20 points, and Sue Bird scored all 12 of her points in the second half.

Seattle center Lauren Jackson fouled out in the fourth quarter with six points, 15 below her average.

Catchings drew Jackson’s sixth foul with 3:41 left, and Indiana immediately took advantage with back-to-back baskets by Whitmore and DeForge in the paint to give the Fever a 63-56 lead. Indiana outscored the Storm 12-6 the rest of the way without having to contend with the 6-foot-5 shot blocker.

Sun 85, Mystics 71: At Uncasville, Conn., Katie Douglas had 26 points and seven rebounds to lead Connecticut to a victory over Washington, the Sun’s fifth straight win.

Nykesha Sales scored 24 points and had two assists for the Sun, who had a 39-24 edge on the boards and outscored the Mystics 40-30 in the paint. Alana Beard led Washington with 29 points and had six rebounds and two assists. Washington was held 13 points below its average.

Lynx 75, Comets 62: At Minneapolis, rookie Seimone Augustus scored 19 points, and Nicole Ohlde added 16 as Minnesota beat Houston. It was the fourth win in five games for the Lynx. Tina Thompson scored 19 points for Houston, which played its third straight game without league MVP Sheryl Swoopes, who has a sore back and didn’t make the trip to Minnesota.