WASHINGTON – Natasha Howard scored 20 points and Erlana Larkins had 16 as the Indiana Fever used a big second-quarter to beat the Washington Mystics 80-77 on Wednesday night.
The Fever outscored the Mystics 31-14 in the second quarter, closing the first half with a 20-5 run to take a 42-29 lead. Lynetta Kizer scored all 10 of her points in the quarter. Indiana (8-9), winner of two straight after losing five of six, shot 53 percent from the field and beat Washington for the second time in three meetings this season.
Monique Currie scored 18 points for the second straight game for the Mystics (7-11). All five starters scored in double figures, but Washington has lost two straight, both at home.
Washington rallied in the fourth quarter as Kia Vaughn's jumper cut Indiana's lead to 78-76 with 19 seconds remaining. The Fever made two free throws in the final 10.3 seconds.
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