Fourth Quarter Frenzy Pushes Sparks Past Fire, 106-101
Los Angeles scored 34 in the final period, behind 6 made threes. Learn more in this piece.
Expansion seasons are never easy.
Universally across sports, expansion teams often lack team chemistry, as inexperienced players and coaches are forced to work together for the first time. Talent is at a premium, with only a single offseason to assemble a roster.
In a league full of superstars and superteams, the inexperienced, less talented Portland Fire have suffered many blowouts. Today, the Rose City’s expansion franchise can hold their heads high. In front of over thirteen-thousand fans at Moda Center, the Fire fought hard, tying their opponents through three quarters, before the Los Angeles Sparks pulled away 106-101.
Trailing 10-3 early in the first quarter, Portland crawled back behind a tour-de-force by French guard Carla Leite. Over a span of just forty seconds, the second year pro tied the score at 10-all with a made three, a layup, and two free throws. Deeper in the opening period, young Australian rookie Nyadiew Puoch and first year 35 year old backup guard Teja Oblak pushed Portland ahead. After German second round pick Frieda Bühner nailed a trey, the Fire led 19-10 with 4:22 left. When the first buzzer sounded, the home team held a 29-22 advantage.
Los Angeles inched closer in the second quarter, behind a strong showing from local starlet Cameron Brink. The 6’4” center from Portland’s westside suburbs entered the period with 6:44 to go until halftime, and contributed almost immediately with a four-foot floater. Minutes later, she hit a three pointer. Brink followed that effort with two blocked shots and a rebound - inspiring flashbacks to her dominant days in Beaverton’s prep Metro League - as the Sparks kept pace with their hosts. At halftime, Portland led 49-43.
The third quarter featured a Los Angeles rally - trailing by nine at the six minute mark, the travelers eventually stole the lead on an Erica Wheeler triple - and a Portland comeback. With less than a minute on the clock, Canadian sharpshooter Bridget Carleton received a kickout from Megan DiLeo and knocked down a deep three, leveling the score at 72-72. That tally held through the end of the period.
With six minutes remaining in regulation, the two teams remained tied, this time at 87-87. From there, the game shifted into overdrive. First, guard Ariel Atkins sank a triple. After another bomb from Wheeler, the Sparks led by 6. Portland pulled within 2 thanks to an Oblak trey, then got within 2 once again on an Emily Engstler nineteen-footer. The home team reclaimed the lead with 1:32 remaining, thanks to a deep three by their starting center DiLeo.
Moments later, Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike sank a three of her own, followed by a back-breaking triple by her teammate Dearica Hamby. With just :30 on the clock, Portland trailed by two possessions. As the game degenerated into inbounds plays and free throws, Los Angeles held firm, holding on for the five point win.
Three Fire starters - Bridget Carleton, Carla Leite, and Megan DiLeo - eclipsed double digits in points, led by Carleton’s team-high 24 on an outstanding 53.3% from the field and 53.8% beyond the arc. Off the bench, Teja Oblak contributed 15 points on 5 of 7 shooting, with 3 assists. Sparks center Dearica Hamby led Los Angeles to victory with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
The loss drops Portland to 11-19 on the season. The Fire will play again Thursday night, as they host their expansion-sisters the Toronto Tempo at 7 PM PST.
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Matt Bagley is a professional sportswriter and broadcaster with a passion for women’s sports. Outside of work, he cherishes quality time with his birth family, his chosen family, and one very pesky house panther.
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