StingRays Seek Repeat Performance

The StingRays, a game away from elimination five days ago, are one win away from the ABL’s championship playoff series.

After their 72-62 victory over Portland in the best-of-three West semifinal opener at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim Friday, no one was claiming it was Long Beach’s best game of the season. But it was clearly the StingRays’ best against the Western Conference champions, who were 4-3 against Long Beach in the regular season.

To achieve a two-game knockout, Long Beach might have to do it before a full house in 10,934-seat Memorial Coliseum. The Power had sold 6,000 tickets by Friday.

The formula deployed in Game 1 by StingRay Coach Maura McHugh worked, and she seeks a repeat today: Shut down Portland’s guards, and everyone help when Portland center Natalie Williams has the ball.

Andrea Nagy and Beverly Williams limited Portland’s Molly Goodenbour and Elaine Powell to 6-for-23 shooting and only one three-point basket. Williams, the league’s leading scorer and rebounder, had a typical night--25 points and nine rebounds--but had little offensive help.

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Semifinals at a Glance

Portland vs. StingRays

* Game 1: Long Beach, 72-62

* Today: at Portland, 4 p.m.

* Tuesday: at Portland, 7 p.m*

*--if necessary