Williams Makes Two Key Baskets to Help Portland Defeat San Jose

Former UCLA star Natalie Williams scored 26 points, including a couple of baskets in the final 70 seconds, as the unbeaten Portland Power defeated the San Jose Lasers, 79-75, Wednesday night before 3,110 at Portland.

Williams’ layup with 70 seconds remaining tied the score at 75-75. Then with 13 seconds left, she grabbed Katy Steding’s missed shot for one of her 15 rebounds and scored the go-ahead basket.

Portland (3-0) led by as many as 15 points, 57-42, on a basket by Williams with 3:52 left in the third quarter.

But San Jose closed the quarter with a 16-4 run to get within three and opened the fourth quarter with a 10-2 run.

The Lasers (1-3) took a 68-63 lead on Katryna Gaither’s layup with 6:22 to go. Rookie DeLisha Milton added 11 points for the Power. Jennifer Azzi scored 16 of her 23 points in the second half to spark the Lasers’ comeback.

Atlanta 85, Seattle 72--Player-Coach Teresa Edwards scored 12 of her 24 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Glory past the Reign before 15,553 at Atlanta.

The score was tied, 53-53, at the end of the third, then Edwards took control. She was two for three from the field and eight for eight at the line, and also had four assists.

Edwards finished with 10 assists, six steals and four rebounds.