Caitlin Clark scores seven in first quarter

Caitlin Clark gave Indiana an early push on May 13 in the Fever's road game against the Los Angeles Sparks, scoring seven points in the first quarter as Indiana led 24-20 after one. Clark shot 3-for-5 in the opening frame and added three assists, two rebounds, two steals and one block, according to live game updates and the WNBA game page. Indiana shot 53% from the field in the quarter and used that start to build a 48-34 halftime lead at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Fever went on to beat the Sparks 80-67, according to CBS Sports' live game result. ### How did Clark get to seven points so quickly? Clark's first-quarter scoring came on 3-for-5 shooting, with Indiana leaning on her shot creation and transition play early. A USA Today live update at the 4:38 mark of the first quarter said Clark had seven points, two assists, two rebounds, two steals, one block, one foul and three turnovers as the Fever led 16-12. (usatoday.com) The Hawkeyes Wire live box-score update later reported that Clark closed the third quarter with 15 points on 6-for-12 shooting, six assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block in 23 minutes. That running stat line matched the early picture from the first quarter: Indiana was getting production from Clark as both scorer and passer. (usatoday.com) ### What did Indiana's first quarter look like as a team? Indiana led 24-20 after one quarter and shot 53% from the field in the period, the live updates said. The WNBA game page showed the Fever at 24 points in the first quarter and 48 by halftime, while Los Angeles had 20 after one and 34 at the break. (hawkeyeswire.usatoday.com) The WNBA game page also showed Indiana ahead 60-43 with 3:31 left in the third quarter when it was crawled, with team totals listing the Fever with 21 bench points and 26 points in the paint at that stage. Those numbers showed Indiana had scoring beyond its starting group as it built the margin. ### Where was the game played and how was it scheduled? (usatoday.com) The game was played on Wednesday, May 13, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. ESPN's schedule page listed Indiana at Los Angeles for a 10:30 p.m. Eastern start on USA Network, and the official WNBA game page listed the same arena and date. The matchup came with both teams seeking their first win of the season. (wnba.com) The WNBA preview on the game page said Indiana entered 0-1 after a 107-104 loss to Dallas, while Los Angeles entered 0-1 after a loss to Las Vegas. ### What was at stake for Indiana coming into the night? Indiana opened the season with a loss to Dallas on May 9 despite 30 points from Kelsey Mitchell and 20 points, seven assists and five rebounds from Clark, according to ESPN's team schedule page and the WNBA preview. (espn.com) That made the Sparks game Indiana's first chance to get back to.500. (wnba.com) Stephanie White, Indiana's coach, said before the game that the Fever wanted to "clean up" defensive breakdowns from the opener and improve their transition from offense to defense, according to the WNBA preview. The faster start in Los Angeles gave Indiana a different early script than it had in the Dallas loss. ### What comes next for Clark and the Fever? (espn.com) Indiana's next scheduled game is Friday, May 15, against the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. ESPN and other schedule listings show the game set for 7:30 p.m. Eastern on ION. Los Angeles is next scheduled to host Toronto on Friday, May 15, according to ESPN's WNBA schedule page. (wnba.com) (espn.com 1) (espn.com 2)