Former Alabama women's basketball star Sarah Ashlee Barker erupted for a career‑high 25 points as the Portland Fire fell to the Washington Mystics in a four‑overtime thriller, a game that tested the limits of both teams and highlighted Barker's rapid ascent in her second WNBA season.
Barker's shooting was efficient, converting 10 of 16 field goals and adding a three‑pointer, while also pulling down six rebounds and dishing out three assists, underscoring her all‑around contribution.
A Milestone in a Marathon Game
The contest pitted two first‑year expansion franchises — the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo — against a veteran Mystics squad, turning the matchup into a showcase of the league's growing depth and the excitement surrounding new markets.
Drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2025, Barker earned a spot on Portland's roster through the 2026 WNBA Exhibition Draft on April 3, a move that capped a college career in which she led the Crimson Tide to the NCAA Tournament each year under coach Kristy Curry.
At Alabama, Barker averaged 18.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists during her senior season, finishing with a 45‑point outburst in her final game that set a school record, and she closed her collegiate career with averages of 13.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
Her performance not only marks a personal milestone but also reflects the increasing influence of former SEC standouts in the professional ranks, a trend that bodes well for the WNBA's expanding footprint across the United States, from the nation's capital to the heart of Alabama.