Sarah Ashlee Barker, former Alabama star, secures Portland Fire’s first franchise victory with buzzer-beater
By Ethan Stone
Published:
The WNBA’s Portland Fire won its first game in franchise history last night, and it’s all thanks to a former Alabama star.
Sarah Ashlee Barker rebounded a missed shot in the final seconds and immediately put it in the basket just before the final horn sounded, giving Portland the 98-96 win. Check it out below:
Barker didn’t have an excellent game or anything, either. She finished with 5 points, 2 assists and 3 rebounds across 22 minutes of action, but fought for the rebound and delivered when it mattered most.
Originally drafted No. 9 overall in the 2025 draft by Los Angeles, Barker found her way to Portland to start its inaugural season in the WNBA. The Fire lost their first game to the Chicago Sky before Barker’s heroics earned the first win in franchise history.
According to Oregon Live, Barker’s putback meant even more to her specifically. Following the game, she disclosed that she has lost someone close to her within 24 hours of the shot.
“The people that know the details, know the details,” Barker told Oregon Live. “But just for that to happen tonight, and the support that my teammates, my coaches, this organization has given me the past 24 hours, I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
