Connecticut overcame Indiana in a tense game that stayed close from tipoff to overtime.

The Sun led for most of it thanks to Asjha Jones' string of first-half buckets, Lindsay Whalen's second-half zigzag drives, and (of all things) twelve-to-fifteen-footers from Margo Dydek, who played at least as well as she has all year. The Day's DiMauro apologizes for his stint as a Dydek doubter.

But Indy's sticky defense wore the Sun down: Tamika Catchings and Tully Bevilaqua hassled the Sun's backcourt into turnovers, and Catchings' late three tied everything at 60.

Connecticut then dominated overtime: a smooth Nykesha Sales trey put them up by five. Kelly Miller, 4-4 from downtown alone on Thursday, shot just 2-12 this time out despite open looks; Catch fouled out.

Nat Williams made her last-ever WNBA game a great one: 17 points, 11 boards, and a display of raw strength that put her in consistent position to score.

It was the closest sweep imaginable: both games came one play (or one whistle) away from a Fever victory. Catchings sounds irked: "Everybody always doubted us. We've never gotten the respect the Indiana Fever deserve for all the hard work we've put into it."

Coach Thibault: "We probably screwed up more plays at the end of regulation than we did all year... It wasn't aesthetically pleasing but it was fun to watch how hard we played."

Sales on the Eastern Conference title: "We were a lot more excited last year. We're excited but we realize that it defeats the purpose if we go to the championship again and lose. I think you'll see a wild side if we win the championship."

The Sun will face Sacto next week: the Monarchs press and play defense at least as well as Indiana does-- and they have more players who can score. Home advantage should help. The Sun won both reg-season matches with Sacto, though the Courant says the Monarchs won both. (Oops.)