Fowles returns, Dupree scores 20 in Sky victory

For the second straight home game, the Chicago Sky kept things exciting. What stood out the most, however, about Tuesday's game against the Indiana Fever was the return of rookie Sylvia Fowles.

Fowles, who has been out of action since June 3 with a left knee sprain, made her return with the Sky, who beat the Fever 68-60 at the UIC Pavilion.

To add to the excitement, Fowles and Fever forward/Stevenson High School grad Tamika Catchings were both honored before the game, as they will be a part of the U.S. Olympic Team in Beijing next month.

"We were all really excited, but Sylvia was probably more excited than anybody," Sky coach Steven Key said. "We've been trying to keep it as simple as possible for her because it's unfair for us for us to assume she's going to be able to go out there and do what everyone else has been doing for the past 7-8 weeks."

Fowles finished the game with 2 points, 1 block and 5 rebounds. She admitted she was a bit shaky at first, but is glad to be back.

"It's been a while since I've been on the court with them," said Fowles, who checked in the game in the second quarter and played almost 12 minutes. "But that's all part of getting back in the game."

Candace Dupree led the Sky (8-15) with 20 points and 9 rebounds. She scored 12 of those points in the first quarter.

The Sky's largest lead at 27-17 came with 6;32 left in the second after Jia Perkins' (13 points, 8 assists, 10 rebounds) steal and layup.

The Fever never led but tied the game once (27-27) and got within 59-56 with a little over a minute remaining. Clutch free throws from Chasity Melvin (13 points, 7 rebounds), Dupree and Perkins kept the Fever at bay. The Sky finished 19-for-21 at the free throw line.

Catchings finished with 8 points before fouling out.

"I really like her work ethic, and she's a hard player," Fowles said of Catchings. "I respect that about her."