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INDIANAPOLIS -- Tamika Catchings cherished every precious moment Sunday -- from hearing her favorite National Anthem singer right through her farewell speech.In between, fans, teammates and former players serenaded her with the same chorus: Thanks for the memories.Yes, on a day the Indiana Fever blew past beat Dallas 83-60 for the teams most lopsided win of the season, the score didnt really matter. One of the best and most beloved stars in WNBA history was about to say goodbye to her adopted hometown.I remember thinking after getting hurt my senior year at Tennessee, thinking nobody is going to want me. Ive got a broken wheel, and who goes to the store to buy something thats broken? Catchings told the fans after the game. But thank you, thank you.Yes, she started preparing for this moment in February 2015 after signing her final contract.But the rousing send-off still teetered between heart-felt thoughts, trips down memory lane, job proposals and even a comedy routine.Throughout the more than one-hour ceremony, Catchings, who declined gifts during her farewell tour, collected a few Sunday: A new Lexus, a framed USA Basketball jersey surrounded by team photos she competed on, two chairs and a specially designed Hoodie from Nike, a painting of her in a shooting stance and a custom-made poster with the word relentless above her photo.The one she appreciated most might have been the $100,000 check from Pacers Sports & Entertainment to her Catch The Stars Foundation.Fans had plenty of chances to cheer Sunday.But when she departed for the final time, with 1:33 left to play, the fans gave Catchings a prolonged ovation as she walked toward the bench, hugged her replacement and everyone on the bench. Former coach Lin Dunn was caught wiping away tears.Back in 2001, what we didnt know then but what we do know now is that we got the crown jewel of the WNBA, Fever chief operating officer Kelly Krauskopf said.It was a special day for everyone.Fever players wore new white shooting T-shirts to honor Catchings. Fans wore different white T-shirts, with the hashtag 24Forever emblazoned across the chest. Coach Stephanie White, who is bound for Vanderbilt after this season, even participated by wearing a nifty all-white outfit and the shooting shirt underneath her jacket.And the crowd was full of familiar faces.Friends and family came in from out of town. Former teammates such as Tully Bevilaqua and Katie Douglass came back, too. Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird and Olympic gold medalist Paul George sat together, and Reggie Miller returned to the venue where his own farewell ceremony took place during the spring of 2005.Like Millers farewell that day, anything Catchings did on the court -- make a basket, draw a foul, grab a rebound -- drew a loud cheers.During timeouts, a kaleidoscope of memorable moments played on the video board. So the four-time Olympic gold medalist, who carved out her own niche in Indianas long, illustrious basketball history, couldnt disappoint the fans.She didnt. Catchings scored eight points in the first quarter, finished with 16 and added seven more rebounds to the WNBAs career record. Not bad for a 37-year-old star.When the postgame ceremony began, the emotions really flowed.She is unwavering in her passion, her love, her beliefs, longtime teammate Briann January said. This is the same woman who cracks herself up with corny jokes and Shirley Temples. People like you dont come along often Catch. I love you to death and everything youve done for me. Twenty-four forever.White shared similar sentiments as she fought back tears.Tamika, I was lucky to be your teammat4e, Im honored to be your friend, White said, pausing. I am so proud, so proud of who you are and we thank you for gracing us with your presence every day and making us better people.The 10-time All-Star and five-time WNBA defensive player of the year finishes her career with 457 games played, second on the career scoring list (7,382) and as the career leader in free throws made (2,004), steals (1,074) and rebounds (3,316).Catchings will play at least one more home game -- Wednesday night against Phoenix -- but that didnt take away from all that she was being honored for Sunday.I think of all the tears Ive shed after losses, I think of all the tears Ive shed after wins, I think of all the tears that Ive shed during the hard work and when you give that much, my tears have already been shed, she said. Ive lived here longer than I have literally anywhere my whole entire life, so this is home, and Im so thankful that this journey ends here today on this court. 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NEW ORLEANS -- Southern entered the Bayou Classic with the top two all-purpose yardage producers in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, but Gramblings Martez Carter produced the most Saturday.The junior running back had 279 all-purpose yards and scored three touchdowns as the Tigers defeated the Jaguars 52-30 to claim the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division title.The Tigers (9-1, 9-0) advanced to the SWAC title game for the second consecutive year. Theyll face East Division champion Alcorn State next Saturday in Houston.Carter rushed 10 times for 118 yards and two touchdowns, returned two kickoffs for 104 yards, including an 88-yard touchdown, caught one pass for 28 yards, returned one kickoff for 16 yards and returned three punts for 29 yards.Its going to make future teams respect us, Carter said of the SWACs leading passing teams rushing success. They say were a passing team, but we also can run the ball well. We had a lot of success today and thats going to open those guys eyes up to respect the run game that we establish.The Tigers had 256 yards rushing and DeVante Kincade completed 24-of-33 passes for 283 yards and a touchdown and ran nine times for 56 yards and a touchdown.We did a really good job of running the football, Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs said. We saw some things from the way they were lining up in the first half and we were able to take advantage of it.After being held scoreless in the second quarter, the Tigers scored on the first possession of the third quarter as Kincade ran 45 yards for touchdown that increased the Tigers lead to 24-13.Three plays after Grambling stopped Southern on a fourth-and-1 at the Tigers 13, Carter ran 66 yards for a touchdown and Lyndemian Brooks ran 34 yards for a touchdown and a 38-13 lead with 4:02 left in the third quarter.One play after a Grambling fumble, Austin Howard threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Lenard Tillery to get the Jaguars within 38-20 after three quarters. Tillery, the SWAC leader in all-purpose yards, also ran 26 times for 234 yards and a touchdown, but wide receiver/return specialist Willie Quinn, whos second in all-purpose yards, had just 64 yards.Kincade threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Chad Williams before Southerns Ruan Albuquerque made a 32-yard field goal with 6:56 left. Carter returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown.Howard threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Tillery with 3 seconds left.We just werent able to put up enough poinnts to keep up with them, Southern coach Dawson Odums said.dddddddddddd We gave up too many big plays and that was the difference in the game.Southern took the opening kickoff and drove to an 18-yard touchdown pass from Howard to Quinn and a 6-0 lead after the extra point was missed.On the ensuing possession, Carter ran 11 yards for a touchdown that gave Grambling a 7-6 lead.Williams 32-yard halfback pass to Verlan Hunter gave Grambling a 14-6 lead after one quarter.We practiced that play all week, Williams said, and I told Verlan to get ready because if someones on him, Im throwing it to him anyway.Tillerys 85-yard touchdown run pulled Southern within 17-13 at halftime.DEFENSIVE STANDSThe game featured the two highest-scoring offenses in the SWAC, but two defensive stands by Grambling made a big difference. Southern trailed 7-6 and was poised to take the lead midway through the first quarter when Howard fumbled at the Grambling 1 and the ball went through the end zone for a touchback. In the third quarter Grambling led 24-13 when it stopped Tillery 1 yard short of a first down on fourth down at the Tigers 13. One or two plays in a football game can make the difference, Jaguars coach Dawson Odums said. (Howards fumble) swung the momentum and we never got it turned around.THE TAKEAWAYGrambling: The Tigers are back as a perennial SWAC contender after playing for the West Division title for the third consecutive year and winning it for the second consecutive year. The Tigers finished 9-0 in the SWAC regular season for the second consecutive year.Southern: The Jaguars high-scoring offense wasnt up to par as the Grambling defense contained quarterback Austin Howard and big-play wide receiver/return specialist Willie Quinn. Running back Lenard Tillery, the SWACs all-time leading rusher, had a big game in the final game of his collegiate career with 230 yards, including an 85-yard touchdown, as well as a 14-yard touchdown reception.UP NEXTGrambling: The Tigers will play East Division champion Alcorn State in the SWAC Championship Game next Saturday in Houston. Grambling will try to avenge a 49-21 loss to Alcorn in last years title game.Southern: The Jaguars season ended with the loss. They finished with a winning record for the fourth consecutive season.AP college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '