The season has officially begun for the new look Indiana Fever. There is a mix of old and new on the roster which should being a nice balance to the team. Veterans Kelsay Mitchell, Victoria Vivians, Erica Wheeler, and Emma Cannon will be there to help and coach the young talent the Fever drafted over the last two years. New Coach Christie Sides brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the team and with her intensity on the floor should bring a winning attitude very soon. Maya Caldwell and Kristy Wallace played with coach Sides last year in Atlanta and could be a big help on the floor to the other players learning the new system.
The rest of the returning roster NaLyssa Smith, Queen Egbo and Lexie Hull all had nice rookie years and will continue to develop and benefit from the new coach. The rookies Grace Berger along with the two South Carolina standouts Victoria Saxton and Aliyah Boston brings an exciting future to the Fever,
The game on Friday night started off a little slowly for the Fever as the Connecticut Sun started off hot and went ahead 10-1 before the Fever really started to find their way. Aliyah Boston was the main focus offensively as everyone was anticipating her first points. It came from a free throw as she made the second of her two attempts. shortly after that the nerves of the Fever settled down and the team started their fight to stay in the game. Kelsay Mitchell did her usual thing on the court, lead the team in scoring with 20 points. Boston finished with 15 points and 9 rebounds in her first game coming alive down towards the end of the game. NaLyssa Smith had an off-night shooting 2-11 finishing with 6 points and 9 boards. Queen Egbo showed her dominance on the defensive side blocking 3 shots and making it difficult for anyone entering the painted area.
The Fever trailed by 19 at one point in the game but battled back to bring the game within 3 late in the fourth quarter. It was the play of the big three in the middle for the Sun that controlled the game and led to the Sun winning the game 70-61. DeWanna Bonner finished with 19 points, Alyssa Tomas had 18 points and Brionna Jones who fouled out had 13 points.
The 7356 in attendance at Gainbridge Fieldhouse had and exciting game to watch. They have a fun, exciting young team to support this season. the Fever will make a little noise and turn some heads this year. The next home game is on June 4th versus the Las Vegas Aces. Before that they will have three on the road starting in New York on Sunday afternoon at 2pm.
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