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Thursday, May 31 8:00pm ET
Thompson, Arcain each score 26 | |||||
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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Houston Comets coach Van Chancellor thinks he has found go-to players to replace Sheryl Swoopes and Cynthia Cooper. Tina Thompson and Janeth Arcain each scored 26 points as Houston beat the Indiana Fever 82-78 Thursday night. "There wasn't but one difference in the game, and it was those two," Chancellor said. "They better be ready (to replace Swoops and Cooper) or we'll be in deep trouble." Cooper, a two-time WNBA MVP, retired and is the coach of the Phoenix Mercury. Swoopes is injured. Thompson and Arcain helped the Comets (1-1) build a 13-point lead in the first half and hold off Indiana when it closed within two points in the second. The loss spoiled the WNBA coaching debut of Nell Fortner, who led the United States Olympic team to a gold medal in Sydney. "When you play against two tremendous players that make great, big shots, it's tough," Fortner said. The Fever used a 9-1 run to cut a nine-point deficit to one, closing within 63-62. Indiana (0-1) late moved within two points, 70-68, on a jumper by Rita Williams But Arcain followed with a basket and hit two free throws to push the lead back to six. Arcain and Thompson combined to score 13 of Houston's last 17 points in the final six minutes. A 3-pointer by Nadine Malcolm with 2:30 left pulled the Fever within 74-71, but Arcain and Thompson followed with consecutive baskets, building Houston's lead to seven points. Indiana closed to 79-76 with 23.8 seconds left, but a steal and two free throws by Thompson sealed the win. "When they started to get hot, we'd go on some short runs to give us some room," Thompson said. "I think some of our experience helped." Arcain, who reported to training camp one week before the season opened after playing in Brazil, scored nine points in a season-opening loss to Los Angeles. She said she is getting more comfortable. "Overseas, I had different roles and we played with a different ball," Arcain said. "I have to be familiar with the ball again. Right now, I think I'm getting my game back." Danielle McCulley scored 12 points for the Fever. Malcolm and Olympia Scott-Richardson added 11 for the Fever. "I'm disappointed that we lost, but am I disappointed in the way we played and fought? No," Fortner said. The Comets opened the game with an 8-0 run and pushed the lead to 20-7 on a 3-pointer by Thompson. The Fever countered with an 18-2 run and closed within 30-25. Alicia Thompson hit a 3-pointer to get Indiana within 34-31 with 3:57 left in the first half. | ALSO SEE WNBA Scoreboard RECAPS Cleveland 69 Washington 34
Houston 82
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