Catchings leads Fever to easy win over Comets

INDIANAPOLIS – Tamika Catchings had 12 points, nine rebounds and seven steals in three quarters in the Indiana Fever’s 84-59 victory over the Houston Comets on Wednesday night.

Catchings tied the WNBA record with seven steals in the first half to help the Fever take a 44-27 lead at the break. She sat out the fourth quarter because the Fever had the game under control. Indiana led by as many as 27 points in the final period.

Tammy Sutton-Brown led the Fever with 17 points on 5-for-10 shooting.

Michelle Snow led Houston with 15 points, and Barbara Turner added 13. Tina Thompson, the league’s No. 3 scorer, was shut out in the first half and finished with six points on 2-for-9 shooting. Forward Sheryl Swoopes sat out her second straight game because of inflammation in her lower back.

Indiana bounced back after a loss at New York on Tuesday, while Houston continued the worst start in team history.

The Comets made 24 turnovers and shot 39 percent from the field.

Indiana made eight of its first 12 shots to take a 22-3 lead in the first quarter.