Fever's defensive intensity decimates Mercury; Kizer gets career-high

In front of a crowd of more than 11,000 people, and countless others watching the primetime event from home on national television, Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury were looking to win their fifth straight home game on Sunday.

However, things didn't quite work out the way the All-Star and her team had planned.

The Indiana Fever (14-9) topped the Phoenix Mercury (15-9) 75-63, giving them their sixth win out of the past seven games.

Phoenix jumped out to an early 9-4 lead in the first quarter, however, it would be the only time in the game that they would find themselves in control. The Fever slowly worked their way back, and were able to command a 39-29 lead going into halftime.

The Fever came out just as strong in the second half extending their lead to 23 points midway through the fourth quarter. The Mercury did not shut down completely, though. They outscored the Fever 19-12 in the fourth quarter, but their run still wasn't enough.

Center Lynetta Kizer led the Fever with a career-high 19 points, shooting more than 53 percent from the field. Briann January and Shavonte Zellous also finished in double figures, scoring 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Griner and Candice Dupree each scored 12 points for the Mercury. Mistie Bass was the only other player to reach double figures, finishing with 10 points.

With the win, the Fever will remain in third place in the Eastern Conference, sitting just half of a game behind the Washington Mystics in second place. The Mercury stay in second place in the Western Conference, and are still five games ahead of the next closest team.

Both the Fever and the Mercury will turn around and take the court again this Tuesday. Phoenix will hit the road to take on the Tulsa Shock, and Indiana will stay out West to take on the Los Angeles Sparks.