Shay Ciezki scored a career-high 22 points off the bench to power the Phoenix Mercury past the Portland Fire in Wednesday's WNBA return. The rookie connected on five of her eight field goal attempts while sinking all nine of her free throws in just 21 minutes.
Shay Ciezki's 3rd Quarter Performance Decides Mercury vs Fire
Her third quarter alone was enough to flip the game. Ciezki scored 17 points in the period, more than any Phoenix first-year player before her. The Mercury eventually climbed back from a 10-plus-point hole to seize control of a back-and-forth contest.
Still, the Portland Fire kept it close down the stretch. Emily Engstler finished with 21 points and five 3-pointers, while Holly Winterburn added 18. A late Portland triple cut the final margin to 92-91 with just 4.3 seconds left, but Phoenix converted the final free throws to finish it.
The victory moved the Phoenix Mercury to a 15-26 record this WNBA season, while Portland fell to 16-25.
Neither team will reach the postseason, but Ciezki made a case for a bigger role next season. Passed over in the draft, she made Phoenix's roster through a camp invite and later landed a developmental contract. Thursday night's performance only reflected her growing impact.
