Catchings, Indiana steal one from Mystics

INDIANAPOLIS | Tamika Catchings became the WNBA’s all-time steals leader with a flurry.

The Indiana Fever forward bagged five of her six steals in the final six minutes against Washington to turn a close game into a 68-57 win Saturday night.

Catchings moved two steals ahead of Los Angeles’ Ticha Penicheiro for the No. 1 spot on the career list.

Catchings also had 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks for the Fever (9-3), who have the best record in the league.

Indiana held Washington (2-8) to seven points in the final period, the second fewest points Indiana has ever allowed in a fourth quarter. The Mystics went scoreless for the final 4:53 as Indiana closed the game on a 9-0 run.

Washington shot 10-for-19 in the first quarter, but 12-for-38 the rest of the game. The Mystics shot 3-for-10 and had nine turnovers in the fourth quarter.

“We played well for three quarters,” Washington coach Trudi Lacey said. “Indiana came out physical and tough in the second half. It was about execution, and we had too many turnovers for them to make easy baskets.”

Nicky Anosike scored 12 points and Marissa Coleman added 11 for the Mystics. Washington’s Crystal Langhorne, the league’s No. 5 scorer at 18.1 points per game, sat out because of back pain.

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