Rizzotti’s Late Flurry Leads the Blizzard

Jennifer Rizzotti scored six points in the last three minutes and the New England Blizzard ended a six-game losing streak Friday night with a 75-72 victory over the Chicago Condors before 3,214 at Chicago.

It was New England’s first victory since defeating the Philadelphia Rage in the season opener on Nov. 5.

Chicago led, 61-59, entering the fourth quarter. A basket by Adrienne Goodson gave the Condors their last lead at 72-71 with 1:14 to play.

Rizzotti, who had 21 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, made a jumper that gave the Blizzard a 73-72 lead with 53 seconds remaining. She then made two free throws with 7.9 seconds left.

Chicago called time out but failed to get a shot off as time expired.

Kara Wolters added 17 points and Stacey Lovelace 15 for New England. Chicago’s Yolanda Griffith scored 23 and Goodson had 18.

Columbus 77, Nashville 74--Shannon Johnson scored 29 points to lead the Quest past the Noise before 2,287 at Columbus, Ohio.

The Quest led, 64-46, going into the fourth quarter and held off a late run by the expansion Noise.

Nashville opened the quarter with a 9-2 run and pulled within 75-74 with 16.7 seconds to play. Johnson put the Quest back up by three with two free throws.

The Noise got the ball back with 14.1 seconds remaining but couldn’t score. Tracy Henderson was short on a three-point attempt and Nashville couldn’t get off another shot.

Columbus player-coach Tonya Edwards scored 19 points. Henderson led Nashville with 19 points and Vicki Hall scored 15 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.

Seattle 70, Portland 61--Kate Paye made three three-point baskets in a 2:20 span of the fourth quarter to break open a tie game and lead the Reign at Seattle.

Paye finished with a season-high 13 points. Val Whiting led Seattle with 18.

Natalie Williams scored 18 to lead Portland, which beat Seattle by 31 points last Saturday.

Seattle widened its Western Conference lead to two games over the idle San Jose Lasers, while Portland fell 2 1/2 back.