Fever hold off Dream for 85-74 win

Indiana already had squandered an eight-point lead once in Thursday’s game against Atlanta. Erica Wheeler made sure it didn’t happen again.

With the Fever clinging to a 76-72 lead late in the fourth quarter, Wheeler connected on a 25-foot, 3-point jumper to secure a 85-74 win over the Dream at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Wheeler, subbing in for injured Briann January, had a game-high 20 points. Tiffany Mitchell chipped in with 14 points and Marissa Coleman and Candice Dupree each had 10 points for the Fever (5-6), who had lost two of three games.

Atlanta (5-5) was led by Tiffany Hayes and Bria Holmes, who each scored 17 points. Elizabeth Williams and Damiris Dantas added 10 points each for the Dream.

The Fever dominated the first quarter, holding the Dream to 6-of-18 shooting (35.3 percent) while connecting on 61.5 percent (8 of 14) from the field.

Indiana had a seemingly comfortable eight-point lead early in the second quarter and it looked like the Fever were about to blow the game open. But a determined Dream defense created turnovers and Atlanta took a 31-30 lead late in the quarter.

Indiana grabbed a 33-31 halftime lead thanks to Wheeler’s 20-foot jumper to close out the second quarter.

The Fever scored only 11 points in the second quarter and were down to 40 percent shooting (13 of 31). The Fever also committed six turnovers to the Dream’s one.

Indiana’s offense started to click in the third quarter. With the score tied 33-all, the Fever took control with an 8-0 run.

Williams pulled the Dream within one at 43-42 with 4:35 left in the quarter and the Dream stayed close until back-to-back 3s by Coleman and Wheeler ended the third, giving the Fever a 60-53 advantage.

The Fever played without January (8.9 points per game) for the third straight game after she suffered an Achilles injury. Her status is day to day.