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Utah Too Strong for Portland

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From Associated Press

The Utah Starzz strengthened their hold on the final playoff spot in the WNBA’s Western Conference with their fourth consecutive victory, defeating the Portland Fire, 79-73, Monday night before 7,905 at Portland, Ore.

The Starzz (13-11), in fourth place in the West, moved 2 1/2 games ahead of the Fire (11-14), which had been tied with Phoenix (11-13) for fifth before the game.

Adrienne Goodson had 20 points and seven rebounds for Utah. Jennifer Azzi scored 18 points, and Margo Dydek had 15 points and seven rebounds.

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Jackie Stiles scored 16 points for Portland, which suffered its third consecutive loss. Sylvia Crawley scored 14 points, and DeMya Walker had 12.

Goodson sank an off-balance three-point shot with 31 seconds left that all but ensured the victory for Utah, which lost its lead midway through the second half.

Portland went ahead, 64-61, with 6:32 left when Crawley put back Tamicha Jackson’s miss, but the Fire went 4:30 without scoring as the Starzz built a 71-64 lead.

Houston 55, Seattle 51--Janeth Arcain scored 16 points and Tina Thompson had 14 and 11 rebounds as the Comets (16-8) ended a two-game losing streak before 12,573 at Houston.

Lauren Jackson scored 16 points, and Semeka Randall had 14 for the Storm (9-17), which lost for the 12th time in 14 games.

Cleveland 65, Orlando 47--Helen Darling scored 16 points and made two three-point shots during a pivotal second-half run for the Eastern Conference-leading Rockers before 10,043 at Cleveland.

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Darling made her consecutive three-point shots during an 11-0 run that put the Rockers ahead, 39-29.

Ann Wauters added 15 points for Cleveland (20-6), which improved to 13-1 at home and has clinched a playoff berth.

Nykesha Sales scored 15 points for Orlando (9-16), which fell two games behind Charlotte in the race for the final Eastern playoff berth.

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