Holly Winterburn's Career Night Fuels Fire Over Storm
The former Oregon Duck's career-high 20 points powered Portland past their rivals, 84-82.
Seven years ago, Holly Winterburn was a wide-eyed freshman at the University of Oregon.
In the years that followed, the British international’s WNBA career has been relatively quiet.
All that changed tonight, as the sharpshooting wing set a new WNBA personal-best 20 points on 8 made field goals. She also added 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Behind her brilliance, the Portland Fire bested their arch-rivals in Seattle, 84-82.
“[I] want to celebrate Holly Winterburn tonight,” stressed Fire head coach Alex Sarama. “I thought that was a career kind of breakout performance. 20 points, really efficient, then the seven rebounds and the five assists too. That was great to see Holly have such a productive game all around.”
Winterburn’s efforts were aided by Portland’s 43% team field goal shooting, a respectable rebounding battle (43 boards to Seattle’s 45), and a feisty team defense which earned 8 steals.
After one quarter, the Fire led 26-16. By halftime, their advantage reached double-digits, and the margin ballooned to 16 before Seattle roared back in the final period, with Awa Fam’s heroics (7/12 from the field, and a Storm-high 20 points) bringing the final result within doubt.
Under a minute remaining, Ezi Magbegor swished a three-pointer, cutting Seattle’s deficit to 3. With 6.6 seconds left, a Natisha Heideman trey trimmed their margin to 1. In the game’s final moments, a Carla Leite free throw doubled Portland’s lead, and a missed Hiedeman twenty-footer left the home team unhappy.
The win marks Portland’s 14th of the year, with a 14-20 overall record. The victory also clinches a series sweep of their rivals from Seattle. The two I-5 foes have faced off four times since June 17th, with the Fire taking all four games.
Portland returns to action Sunday evening against the Phoenix Mercury, with tip-off scheduled for 4 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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