09/17/26 11:43:00
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09/17 23:41 CDT Ciezki has 22 points in the Mercury's 94-91 victory over the
Fire
Ciezki has 22 points in the Mercury's 94-91 victory over the Fire
By ANNE M. PETERSON
AP Sports Wrtier
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) --- Shay Ciezki had 22 points off the bench and the Phoenix
Mercury rallied in the fourth quarter for a 94-91 victory over the Portland
Fire on Thursday night in the teams' first game back from the FIBA World Cup
break.
Emily Engstler had 21 points and five 3-pointers for the expansion Fire, who
have lost five of their last six. Holly Winterburn added 18 points.
Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Fire (16-25) were without Carla Leite, who won the silver medal with France
at the World Cup, as well as Megan DiLeo, who played for third-place Spain.
Frieda Buhner, with hosts Germany, and Amy Okonkwo, captain of Nigeria, played.
The Mercury (15-26) were without Kahleah Cooper, who won gold with the United
States, along with Valeriane Ayayi (France) and Kyara Linskens (Belgium). The
Mercury was also missing Kelsey Plum, who has a left calf injury.
Bridget Carleton did not play for the Fire because of an ankle injury.
Phoenix pulled ahead in the fourth, going up 82-79 after Alyssa Thomas hit a
pair of free throws with 4:58 left. Sami Whitcomb's pullup jumper extended the
Mercury's lead.
Down 90-88, the Fire got the ball on a Mercury shot clock violation, but Karlie
Samuelson missed a 3-point attempt with 21.4 seconds left and Natasha Mack made
free throws for Phoenix.
Winterburn's 3-pointer for Portland with 4.3 left cut gap to 92-91, and the
Mercury closed it out with free throws.
Up next
Mercury: Visit Dallas on Saturday.
Fire: Play Friday at Golden State.
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