WNBA: Sales’ career-high night leads Sun past Fever

Nykesha Sales had a career-high 32 points to lead the Connecticut Sun to a 77-74 victory over Indiana on Wednesday night, completing a sweep of the season series with the Fever.

Lindsay Whalen added 17 points for the Sun, who moved within one game of Indiana for the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoff chase. Connecticut has clinched at least the third seed and would have home-court advantage in the first round against the Fever if the teams finish the season tied.

The Sun, playing without All-Star Asjha Jones (ankle), won their fifth consecutive game at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Anna DeForge had a season-high 29 points and Tammy Sutton-Brown scored 19 for the Fever, who dropped to 3-9 since losing All-Star Tamika Catchings to a left foot injury July 20. Catchings’ return is listed as day-to-day.

The Sun opened up what was a close game with a 16-4 run to open the fourth quarter.

Monarchs 81, Silver Stars 74: At Sacramento, Calif., Kristin Haynie scored a season-high 14 points to help Sacramento rally for a victory over San Antonio.

Nicole Powell and Kara Lawson both scored 13 points for the Monarchs, Yolanda Griffith had 10 points and Ticha Penicheiro added nine, including five free throws down the stretch, as Sacramento pulled one game behind second-place San Antonio.

Sophia Young and Becky Hammon scored 19 points apiece for the Silver Stars.

The Monarchs had no answer for Hammon in the first half. The WNBA’s third-leading scorer made four 3s and scored 16 points, helping the Silver Stars to a 43-36 lead at the break.