Crystal Dangerfield leads Fever to first win in 9 games vs. old team

The Indiana Fever took down the Minnesota Lynx 82-76 Tuesday night to secure their first win since last August and their first in nine games.

Crystal Dangerfield, in her first game against her old team, was one of just two Fever players in double digits. She finished with 10 points and six assists.

“It was special,” Dangerfield said. “They know what I’ve been through to start this season, and then that was our first win of the season, so it was all the feels.”

Despite the performance, Dangerfield was cut by the Fever on Wednesday in favor of Alaina Coates and Danielle Robinson.

Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell led the team with 26 points and added four rebounds and three assists.

The team outscored Minnesota 36-18 in the second quarter – its third-highest scoring quarter in franchise history – and took a nine-point lead into halftime.

The Lynx fought to a 70-69 lead with 5:47 remaining, but the Fever pushed back to take the victory.

“You get tired of losing,” Mitchell said. “Over time, being a professional, being a pro in this league, you get tired of seeing the same thing. After a while, it’s just more action, less talk, so I think that’s where the energy came from.”

Fever coach Marianne Stanley recognized Mitchell for her efforts.

“Kelsey Mitchell was a flat out All-Star today. She was an All-Star today, and we’re gonna start pushing that campaign that she be recognized as one of the better guards in the league,” Stanley said. “You saw her at her best. … She’s not gonna get 26 every night, but she’s a capable guard that’s as good as any two guard in the league.”

Sylvia Fowles led Minnesota with 26 points and 14 rebounds. Also notching a double-double was Jessica Shepard, who had 10 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.

Still, Minnesota fell short of earning its first win. The Lynx will turn to their next game against Chicago on Saturday, while Indiana will look for their second win in a row against the Liberty on Friday.