ARLINGTON, TX- The Wings offense fell short in the second half of Friday nights game, giving Los Angeles an advantage to secure a 97-89 win.
Dallas came off electric in the first quarter as Teaira McCowan led the Wings with 12 out of the 27 points made. Los Angeles was right behind them trailing by three entering the second quarter.
Both teams were exchanging points back and forth through the entire second quarter. Dallas’s defense was in the works during the second quarter as they guard Sparks Liz Cambage. The 6’8 center missed all shots made in the quarter. Dallas Leads at halftime 49-46.
The third quarter consisted of many missed shots for Dallas as well as Teaira McCowan’s fourth personal foul that steered Coach Vickie Johnson to take her out of the game. With McCowan absent, rebounds were hard to snag for the Dallas defense. Three turnovers and low assists numbers were pivotal for Dallas as they fall short to The Sparks by the end of the quarter, Sparks lead 71-66 going into the fourth.
The Wing’s ball movement needed to be improved to score past the Spark’s defense. Coach Johnson reentered McCowan into the game in hopes to bring this Dallas defense back and score more in the paint. It was a short uphill battle for Dallas as they looked to come back from their largest trail of the night being nine points.
Marina Mabrey and Arike Ogunbowale combined for 19 points in the last quarter but wasn’t enough to withstand Nneka Ogwumike and The Spark’s offense. Los Angeles Wins 97-89.
“One thing I’m concerned about is our pace. Our pace is too slow.” Coach Vickie Johnson stated post game, “Its important as a team to understand focus on moving the basketball. Really sharing the basketball and making the defense move.”
Dallas shot 50% from the field tonight, making thirty-three of the sixty-six shots attempted. The Wings were 68% from the free-throw line and had 13 turnovers and 19 fouls.
The Wings will have a short break and host again at the College Park Center Tuesday, July 5th at
7PM CT.
