ARLINGTON, TX – The losing streak is no more after a nail biter at home. The Dallas Wings (3-6) took down the league’s best Connecticut Sun (9-3) by the skin of their teeth 74-73. Prior to tonight, Connecticut boasted a 5-game win streak over Dallas but the narrative changed at the College Park Center.
Although the Wings jumped on the board first with a shot from deep from Kayla Thornton, the Sun wasted no time and went on an 8-0 run to open the quarter. Connecticut looked as if they were ready to take control of this game early on but Dallas started to spread the ball around better and their offense picked back up.
Megan Gustafson checked in the game for the first time around the two minute mark of the first quarter and scored back-to-back baskets. Her presence was immediately felt by the Sun who almost seemed stunned by her defensive play. The Iowa native played a total of seven minutes in the first half but made it count by going 3-3 from the field.
Dallas defense came in clutch by shutting down Jonquel Jones and limiting her to just four point in the first half – all of which were earned in the first quarter. She would go on to finish with 13 points on the night.
It was up to veteran forward Alyssa Thomas to provide nearly all of Connecticut’s offense. Thomas led all scorers with 16 points on 7-8 shooting at halftime.
Before tonight’s game, the Sun boasted an 8-0 record when leading at the half but ended up trailing the Wings 37-34.
The odds were definitely in Dallas’ favor for the second half.
After missing a couple games due to injury, Wings forward Isabelle Harrison was electric tonight. Although she didn’t get as much production from the floor, she nailed almost all of her free throws and collected 11 points before the fourth quarter.
Rookie Arike Ogunbowale put on yet another great offensive show especially in the second half tonight knocking down a few buzzer beaters along the way. The rookie posted a team-leading 23 points.
The Connecticut Sun began to come alive in the second half but it all came down to the fourth quarter. A 14-2 run at the beginning of the final frame looked to be a set up for a comeback victory. Jones found her shot again knocking down a quick seven points. Thomas was collecting points on almost every possession.
It quickly became a game of ping pong. The Wings would go up by three then the Sun would cut the deficit down by two points.
The turning point of the game was when Thomas fouled Allisha Gray with 5.1 seconds left on the clock. Gray banked in both free throws and sealed the victory for Dallas 74-73.
Even though Gray didn’t provide much production from the field (2-7), she was perfect on the charity stripe going (5-5).
The Wings outscored the Sun in every quarter except the fourth and applied pressure when it really counted – something that hasn’t been done often this season.
This victory was everything Dallas needed.
Up next, the Wings travel to the Big Apple to take on the New York Liberty on Friday.
LEADING SCORERS:
(CT) A. THOMAS – 28 points (career-high), 6 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 assists
(DAL) A. OGUNBOWALE – 23 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists.
