The Chicago Blaze opened its 20-game season in the National Women’s Basketball League with an 82-77 victory Friday night over the Kansas City Legacy before a near-sellout crowd of 1,150 at the DePaul Athletic Center. Beginning its second season, the six-team NWBL features name players such as Rebecca Lobo with the Springfield Spirit.
The Blaze led 47-39 at the half, but it took Misi Clark’s six free throws in the final two minutes to secure the victory. Clark led the Blaze with 25 points, while Rhonda Smith had 18. E.C. Hill (13) and Kina Brown (10) also reached double figures for the Blaze, which features eight homegrown players.
Kansas City’s Anna Deforge, who played last season for the WNBA’s Detroit Shock, led all scorers with 37.
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“I knew there was support for women’s basketball in this city,” Blaze co-owner Joseph McCoy said.