Undrafted rookie Shay Ciezki scored 15 of her career-best 22 points in the final 3:52 of the third quarter to help the Phoenix Mercury rally to a 94-91 road victory over the Portland Fire on Thursday night.
The Indiana product was 9-of-9 from the free-throw line in 21 minutes before fouling out in just her fifth appearance of the season for the Mercury. Playing time opened up for Ciezki with leading scorer Kahleah Copper (right groin) sidelined.
Alyssa Thomas registered 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Phoenix (15-26), which won for just the third time in 10 games. Noemie Brochant had 14 points and six assists, Lexi Held had 12 points before fouling out and Natasha Mack and Sami Whitcomb had 11 points apiece.
Emily Engstler recorded 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists before fouling out for Portland (16-25), which lost for the fifth time in six games.
Holly Winterburn scored 18 points off the bench, Karlie Samuelson added 14 and Sarah Williams scored 10 for the Fire.
Portland’s top three players sat out. Carla Leite was rested after playing for France in the World Cup. Bridget Carleton (left ankle) and Megan DiLeo (dislocated right finger) also missed the game.
Copper didn’t play for Phoenix after returning from playing for the United States in Sunday’s FIBA World Cup gold-medal victory over France.
Portland moved within 87-85 on a 3-pointer by Engstler with 3:12 left in the game. Held was fouled while shooting a 3-pointer and made all three free throws to give Phoenix five-point lead with 2:14 remaining.
Jordan Harrison (10 assists) split two free throws before Samuelson made two with 50.8 seconds left to bring the Fire within 90-88.
Mack made two free throws with 15.6 seconds left to push the Phoenix lead to four. But Thomas missed two free throws with 10.9 seconds left and Winterburn banked in a 3-pointer to move Portland within 92-91 with 4.2 seconds left.
Brochant made two free throws with 3.4 seconds left for Phoenix but the Fire’s last attempt was stymied when Thomas made a steal.
The Fire led 50-43 at the break and later were up 63-52 after a floater by Nyadiew Puoch with 4:07 left in the third quarter.
Ciezki then scored the next 12 Phoenix points and 15 of 16 to end the quarter. Her third trey of the run gave the Mercury their first lead of the period at 68-66 with 4.6 seconds left.
Winterburn banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Portland a 69-68 edge entering the final stanza.
Ciezki converted a three-point play in the fourth quarter to give the Mercury a 75-74 lead with 7:16 remaining. She fouled out with 3:44 remaining.
–Field Level Media
