PORTLAND, Ore. (Interstat) — The Portland Fire defeated the Dallas Wings 84-83 on Saturday at Moda Center before 14,612 fans. Portland improved to 7-8 while Dallas fell to 8-5. The Fire overcame a 13-14 first-quarter deficit by exploding for 30 points in the second quarter to take a 44-37 halftime lead. Dallas rallied in the third, trimming the margin to 63-61 entering the fourth. The teams traded baskets down the stretch, with Portland’s Megan Gustafson scoring a layup with 22.5 seconds left to put the Fire ahead. Azzi Fudd answered with a layup and free throw for Dallas, giving the Wings an 83-82 edge with 18.7 seconds remaining. Carla Leite drove for a layup at 11.6 seconds to regain the lead, and Emily Engstler sealed it with a free throw at 1.7 seconds. Arike Ogunbowale led Dallas with 22 points. Jessica Shepard posted 13 points and 14 rebounds for her fifth double-double in six games. Fudd scored 18 points. For Portland, Bridget Carleton had 20 points, Gustafson added 16 points and three blocks, and Leite dished eight assists.

PORTLAND, Ore. (Interstat) — Jessica Shepard recorded 13 points, 14 rebounds and two assists, but it was not enough as the Dallas Wings fell to the Portland Fire 84-83 on Saturday at Moda Center before 14,612. The Wings, who entered with an 8-4 record, dropped to 8-5. The Fire improved to 7-8. Portland trailed 83-82 with 22.5 seconds left when Megan Gustafson tied the game on a two-foot layup off an assist from Carla Leite. Dallas called timeout and responded with Azzi Fudd converting a four-foot layup and a free throw after being fouled by Bridget Carleton, putting the Wings ahead 83-82. But Leite answered with a driving layup with 11.6 seconds remaining to give Portland an 84-83 lead. Emily Engstler then blocked Aziaha James’ driving layup attempt with 4.8 seconds left and secured the rebound. After a foul, Engstler made one of two free throws with 1.7 seconds left to seal the win. The game featured 10 lead changes and six ties. Arike Ogunbowale led all scorers with 22 points, adding six rebounds and two assists for Dallas. Fudd finished with 18 points, four rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Aziaha James contributed 17 points, six rebounds and four assists. Shepard posted her fourth double-double in five games, following a 17-point, 10-rebound performance against Phoenix on Thursday. For Portland, Gustafson had 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Carleton scored 20 points with four rebounds. Leite recorded 10 points, five rebounds and eight assists. Engstler added 11 points, six rebounds, two assists and a block. Sarah Ashlee Barker had 10 points, five rebounds and three assists. Dallas shot 43.5 percent from the floor, 34.2 percent from three-point range and 76.5 percent from the free-throw line. Portland shot 44.7 percent from the field, 36.8 percent from beyond the arc and 81.3 percent from the stripe. The Fire took control early, outscoring Dallas 30-24 in the second quarter to take a 44-37 halftime lead. The Wings rallied in the third quarter, using a 24-19 edge to cut the deficit to 63-61 entering the fourth. The game remained tight throughout the final period, with neither team leading by more than three points in the last five minutes. Portland’s depth proved critical. After trailing 13-14 after the first quarter, the Fire’s bench provided a boost in the second period. Luisa Geiselsoder hit a three-pointer and Sarah Ashlee Barker added another from deep to spark a 10-2 run that gave Portland the lead for most of the half. Dallas’s offense found its rhythm in the third quarter behind Ogunbowale and James. Ogunbowale scored seven points in the period, including a driving layup and two free throws. James added eight points, including a three-pointer and a pullup jumper. The Wings had a chance to take the lead in the final minute but could not convert. After Carleton’s three-pointer tied the game at 80 with 1:01 left, Ogunbowale missed a running layup with 1:53 remaining. Shepard grabbed the offensive rebound but James missed a pullup jumper. Engstler then rebounded the miss, leading to Leite’s game-winning drive. Shepard’s consistent play has been a catalyst for Dallas this season. In her previous five games, she averaged 17.2 points and 10.4 rebounds. She shot 5 of 12 from the field Saturday and grabbed six offensive rebounds. Gustafson was a force inside, blocking three shots and altering several others. Her presence in the paint limited Dallas’s interior scoring in the second half. The Fire’s defense also forced 18 Dallas turnovers, converting them into 20 points. Portland committed 12 turnovers, which Dallas turned into 14 points. Dallas travels to face the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on Monday. Portland hosts the Minnesota Lynx the same night. Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of Dallas 96, Portland 94, and the ELO system gave Portland a 58.70 percent probability to win. Dallas was installed as a 5.5-point favorite, and the total of 83 points went over the over-under line of 171.5.

WNBA: Dallas Wings at Portland Fire PORTLAND, Ore. (Interstat) — The Dallas Wings look to rebound from a blowout loss when they visit the Portland Fire on Saturday at Moda Center. Dallas (7-4) suffered its most lopsided defeat of the season Tuesday, falling 100-76 at Minnesota. The Wings, who had won four of their previous five games, were led by Paige Bueckers’ 23 points. Arike Ogunbowale added 16 points, six assists and three rebounds in 28 minutes. Ogunbowale, the Wings’ leading scorer, has been inconsistent in recent outings. She erupted for 30 points in a 104-96 win over Los Angeles on June 5, then followed with a 16-point effort against the Lynx. In an 86-69 loss at Atlanta on May 22, she managed just two points on 1-of-7 shooting. For the season, the guard has scored 20 or more points in four games. Portland (6-7) returns home after a three-game losing streak. The Fire dropped a 89-72 decision at Los Angeles on Sunday, their third consecutive defeat. Center Megan Gustafson posted her first double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds in 25 minutes. Emily Engstler added 10 points and eight boards. Gustafson has been a consistent presence in the paint for Portland. She scored 22 points in a 100-84 win over Indiana on May 30 and has grabbed at least five rebounds in seven of her last eight games. The 6-foot-3 center is averaging 12.6 points and 5.7 rebounds over her past five contests. Saturday’s matchup features two teams trending in opposite directions. Dallas has won five of its past six games overall, while Portland has lost five of its last seven. The Wings’ offense ranks among the league’s best, averaging 88.9 points per game. Portland counters with a defense that has allowed 85.7 points per contest, including 89 or more in three straight losses. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 96-94 Dallas victory. Following Saturday’s game, Dallas hosts Las Vegas on Monday. Portland visits Minnesota on Monday. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. PDT.