Portland Opens With Win

ABL

Natalie Williams scored a game-high 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the Portland Power defeated the Seattle Reign 65-45 Thursday night in a season-opening game for Portland in the American Basketball League.

It was Seattle’s second loss of the season.

Portland led 22-20 at halftime, but the Power went on an 11-4 run in the second half as Williams scored six of her total. The former UCLA star had two straight layups, the second giving Portland a 33-24 margin with 7 minutes left in the third period.

Overall, Williams scored 12 of her points in the third quarter.

Shalonda Enis led Seattle with 11 points and Kate Starbird had nine points.

Portland 65, Seattle 45

At Portland

Seattle (45) - Enis 3-10 4-4 11, Holmes 2-3 0-2 4, Whiting 2-10 4-4 8, Paye 0-2 1-3 1, Starbird 4-12 1-3 9, Aycock 0-1 0-0 0, Orr 1-3 0-0 2, R.Smith 2-4 3-4 7, Ndiaye 1-2 1-2 3, Godby 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 15-47 14-22 45.

Portland (65) - Steding 4-11 2-3 11, Ford 2-6 2-2 6, Williams 10-15 5-6 25, Powell 3-7 6-6 12, Goddenbour 0-2 0-0 0, Wright 3-8 2-3 9, Morris 0-1 0-0 0, Milton 1-2 0-0 2, C.Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Harrison 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 23-52 17-20 65.

Seattle 13 7 16 9 - 45

Portland 8 14 21 22 - 65

3-Point goals-Seattle 1-8 (Enis 1-4, Starbird 0-1, Ndiaye 0-1, Paye 0-2), Portland 2-9 (Steding 1-4, Wright 1-4, Powell 0-1). Fouled out-None. Rebounds-Seattle 36 (Holmes 9), Portland 32 (Williams 9). Assists-Seattle 8 (Paye, Starbird 3), Portland 16 (Wright 5). Total fouls-Seattle 20, Portland 19. Technical- Milton. A-7,556.