Zellous scores 21 as Fever hold off Mystics, 89-80

WASHINGTON – Reserve guard Shavonte Zellous scored a season-high 21 points and the Indiana Fever held off the Washington Mystics 89-80 on Tuesday night.

Jessica Davenport and Briann January added 18 apiece to help the Fever (4-3) salvage the final contest of a three-game road trip that saw them criss-cross the country from Seattle to Phoenix to Washington in five days.

Zellous, who entered the game having scored just seven points the first six games, shot 7 for 9 from the field.

Crystal Langhorne scored 23 points and Matee Ajavon added 17 for Washington (1-5), which lost its fourth straight.

Leading by three at halftime, Indiana scored the first nine points of the second half and was up 14 after the break. The Mystics rallied but got no closer than three points.

Playing without leading scorer Katie Douglas, who was injured in Sunday's loss at Phoenix, the Fever made just three field goals in the first quarter and fell behind by 11.

Sparked by Tamika Catchings and January, Indiana went on an 18-2 run to start the second quarter.

Douglas is expected to return to the lineup Saturday when the Fever host Connecticut.

Washington's Alana Beard has yet to play in the regular season due to a sprained left foot.