Aces’ Aja Wilson breaks single-season scoring mark in win over Fever
A’ja Wilson broke the WNBA single-season scoring record to add a milestone to an MVP season and her double-double led four players in double figures as the visiting Las Vegas Aces stopped the host Indiana Fever 86-75 on Wednesday night in Indianapolis.
Wilson, a two-time MVP, entered the game 10 points shy of the previous mark of 939 set by Jewell Loyd last season. She scored her 11th and 12th points on a jumper with 26 seconds left in the first half and finished the game with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Wilson, who was averaging a league-best 12.7 points entering the contest, set the record in her 35th game, while Loyd played in 38.
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Las Vegas improved to 23-13, enabling the Aces to stay in fourth place in the WNBA standings with four regular-season games remaining. The top four seeds get homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs that start later this month.
Alysha Clark and Tiffany Hayes came off the bench to score 14 and 12 points, respectively, for the Aces. Starter Chelsea Gray added 11 as Las Vegas earned a 30-11 advantage in bench points.
Kelsey Mitchell scored 24 to pace Indiana (19-18), marking the 10th time in 11 games that she’s scored at least 20 points. Caitlin Clark added 16 and six assists but endured one of her worst shooting nights of the year, hitting just 6 of 22 from the field and 1 of 10 on 3-pointers.
In beating the Fever for the 14th straight time, the Aces played tough, physical defense. Indiana made only 39.7 percent of its field goals, going 7 of 26 on 3-pointers, and committed 14 turnovers.
The Fever got off to a quick start, establishing a 15-10 lead just over six minutes into the game on an Erica Wheeler jumper. But Hayes drilled a 3-pointer to finish a 10-3 burst and give Las Vegas a 20-18 edge after one quarter.
Alysha Clark canned a 3-pointer at the 1:47 mark of the second quarter to make it 39-27 for the Aces. But Caitlin Clark responded with a floater that pulled Indiana within 41-32 at halftime.
The Fever edged within 49-48 during a wild third quarter that featured three replay reviews. However, the Aces regained control and pushed the margin back to 64-57 heading to the fourth period.
