Indiana Holds Off Sparks

The Indiana Fever didn’t score a field goal in the last six minutes but still climbed new heights Friday with a 71-67 victory over the Sparks in front of a crowd of 8,273 at Indianapolis.

The victory was the first for the Fever (7-5) over the Sparks in six games, and it moved Indiana into a tie with the Detroit Shock for first place in the WNBA’s Eastern Conference.

The Sparks (8-6), who stayed in second place in the West despite the loss, came back from a 14-point deficit, at 58-44, to tie the score but couldn’t regain the lead. The Fever held on by taking advantage of 23 L.A. turnovers and making six of six free throws in the last minute.

Tamika Catchings’ 24 points, six rebounds, four steals and four blocked shots led Indiana. With 56 seconds left, the Sparks’ Lisa Leslie made a free throw to tie it, at 65-65, but missed her second free throw. With 37 seconds left, Indiana’s Deanna Jackson made two free throws for a 67-65 lead.

In other games:

Nykesha Sales’ 22 points led Connecticut (7-7) to a 71-67 overtime victory over Detroit (7-5) in front of 6,702 at Uncasville, Conn. ... Yolanda Griffith had 22 points to lift Sacramento (4-7) over Houston (7-7), 61-55, in front of 7,536 at Sacramento.