2009 WNBA Finals - Game Summaries - Game 3

Game 3

ESPN2HD
October 4
Game 3
Phoenix Mercury 85, Indiana Fever 86
Scoring by quarter: 17-24, 30-20, 20-26, 18-16
Pts: Pondexter (23)
Rebs: T. Smith (10)
Asts: Pondexter (8)
FG: Willingham (7-11)
Pts: Hoffman (18)
Rebs: Catchings (12)
Asts: Catchings, Douglas (7)
Stls: Catchings (4)
Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Attendance: 18,165
Referees:
  • #7 Clarke Stevens
  • #22 June Corteau
  • #55 Eric Brewton

Ebony Hoffman hit the jumper that gave her team a one-point lead with 57 seconds left, then blocked Tangela Smith's shot with a second remaining to help Indiana defeat Phoenix 86-85 in Game 3 of the finals Sunday. The Fever took a 2-1 lead in the series and can clinch the championship with a win at home Wednesday.

Indiana forward Tamika Catchings said Hoffman has been a force since going through a slump at the end of the regular season.

"In the playoffs, she's stepped up her game and done such big things, especially in the Phoenix series, playing unbelievable, out of her mind," Catchings said. "That's awesome to see that, especially with the hard work she's put in over the years."

Hoffman, who led Indiana with 18 points, did it all with a sprained right shoulder. She left the game with 7:21 left and returned with 3:40 to play.

Catchings had 14 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, Briann January scored 17 points, and Katie Douglas had 15.

Cappie Pondexter led Phoenix with 23 points and Le'coe Willingham added 17. Diana Taurasi, the league's MVP, scored 18 points but shot 6-for-16 from the field.

Hoffman's long shot from the left corner put Indiana ahead in the final minute. Pondexter rushed downcourt and missed a layup, and Catchings rebounded. Then Indiana missed twice in close, but got the offensive rebound. January dribbled the ball out of bounds with 22 seconds left, though, to give Phoenix a final chance.

Pondexter missed a short jumper, and Catchings went for the rebound. She tried to call timeout, but Willingham tied her up and a jump ball was called.

Phoenix got the ball into Smith but her shot was blocked by Hoffman.

The final margin irked Phoenix because the Fever got a free throw when Taurasi was called for a technical foul that she didn't agree with.

Taurasi had just made a tying layup with 5:14 to play, then took the ball and put it on the baseline for Indiana to inbound. As Taurasi turned around, she ran into Douglas, who fell and briefly held her stomach.

Taurasi said the officials told her she had thrown an elbow. Taurasi disagreed, saying her head hit Douglas and the play actually messed up her bun.

Catchings made the technical free throw to take a 76-75 lead, then January was fouled on the possession Indiana gained after the technical, and she made two free throws.

"Lose by a head butt," Taurasi joked.

Through Game 3, ESPN2’s telecasts are averaging 476,000 viewers (P2+), an increase of 51 percent when compared to last year’s 316,000 viewers. In addition, the corresponding household impressions are up 50 percent (386,000 vs. 258,000) and the 0.4 rating is an increase of 33 percent over last year’s 0.3 rating.

Read more about this topic:  2009 WNBA Finals, Game Summaries

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