The Portland Fire started fast and went unchallenged for a 75-56 win against the Washington Mystics in the nation’s capital on Thursday night.
Carla Leite hit a mid-range jumper to double up the Mystics 26-13 late in the first quarter, and she wasn’t done. Serah Williams, making her first pro start, came up with a steal and fed the ball ahead to Leite for a layup, extending the margin by the end of the first period.
Williams converted a layup late in the first half to stretch the lead to 20 points, and the Fire would enjoy a double-digit margin the rest of the way.
Leite led the Fire with 14 points, while Williams added 12 points on 5 of 6 (83.3%) shooting. Frieda Buhner hit three straight triples in the first half and finished with 9 points.
Portland (11-14) turned in its best defensive effort of the season, surrendering only 56 points. The Fire held the Mystics to 19 of 65 (29.2%) shooting and just 2 for 21 (9.5%) from behind the arc.
The win helped Portland close the gap on the playoff pack, pulling to within two games of Washington for the final spot.
Portland wraps up its five-game road swing Saturday with a 5 p.m. tip-off at first-place Minnesota (19-6).