Overview
- Portland beat Connecticut 71-61 on Wednesday night to extend its win streak to three games and improve to 5-3 on the season.
- Carla Leite led the Fire with 20 points while Bridget Carleton added 13 as Portland closed the game with a decisive fourth-quarter surge.
- The Fire turned the contest with a long fourth-quarter run that included timely shots from reserve Frieda Buhner and efficient scoring from Megan Gustafson.
- Connecticut fell to 1-8 after finishing a five-game road trip 1-4, shooting 1-for-21 from long range and missing Brittney Griner with a right rib injury.
- Portland hosts the Atlanta Dream next as it looks to sustain an identity built on defense, bench energy and late-game finishing while Connecticut returns home to face the Sparks and search for lineup stability.