The Indiana Fever closed out their preseason schedule in emphatic fashion on Saturday, dismantling the Nigerian national team 105-57 in a dominant home victory that showcased the team's depth and star power.
Kelsey Mitchell led all scorers with 17 points, including a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, as the Fever built a commanding 41-point lead by halftime. The trio of Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Mitchell set the tone early, with Clark contributing 12 points and four assists in the first half alone. Boston, returning from a minor injury that kept her out of Thursday's game, showed some rust with four points and six assists but still made her presence felt.
With the game well in hand, head coach Stephanie White made the strategic decision to sit her starters for the entire second half, giving the bench valuable playing time. The reserves didn't miss a beat. Forward Damiris Dontas poured in 16 points off the bench, while Makayla Timpson added 12 points, ensuring the Fever maintained their relentless pace.
For Nigeria, it was another tough outing in what has been a challenging preseason tour. The team previously fell to the Los Angeles Sparks (89-63) and the Minnesota Lynx (88-79). While nearly every Nigerian player managed to score, only Shay Ijiwoye reached double figures.
The 48-point win sends a clear message as the Fever head into the regular season: this team has firepower from the starting lineup all the way to the end of the bench. With Clark looking sharp after a minor knock and the supporting cast stepping up, Indiana fans have plenty of reasons to be excited for what's to come.
