ARLINGTON, TX —What seemed to be a slow start turned into a back-and-forth battle between the Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever. Though, Caitlin Clark put up 21 points in her WNBA debut, it did not knock Ogunbowale off her game, hitting the game-winning three-pointer to clinch the win.
Jaelyn Brown who got things going on the defensive end, led the Wings with 21 points, five rebounds, and one assist. Head coach Latricia Trammell said postgame that Brown’s performance was no surprise, saying she knew that when Jaelyn came in she would be an X-factor on this Dallas squad.
“Jaelyn has really stood out in practice, not only by the staff and I, but as well as her teammates,” said Trammell. “I knew what she was capable of and what I love about it is before she came, I told everyone that she was going to be that X-factor. And she hasn’t disappointed.”
The Indiana Fever opened the game with a 14-3 run, led by Clark’s three-point shooting. She sank four of eight threes in the first half alone. Dallas found its offensive rhythm towards the end of the quarter, with Brown taking charge of the offensive momentum.
Dallas secured its first lead with, rookie Jacy Sheldon’s, three-pointer with 2:08 remaining in the quarter. But the Fever’s fast-paced offense appeared to unsettle Dallas. Indiana went on a 13-7 run. NaLyssa Smith’s two-point shot helped the Fever into halftime, 48-40.
What was hurting Dallas was their ability to shoot from the three, only making 5-of-22 attempts compared to Indiana’s 6-of-14 from deep. But the Wings worked their way back from an eight-point deficit to tie at 62-62 in the opening minutes of the final quarter.
Clark had a shot clock violation in the last 24 seconds, turning the ball over to Dallas with the chance to take the victory. Ogunbowale did not take the opportunity lightly, running down the clock and hitting a crucial three to give Dallas a 79-76 lead with only three seconds left to secure the game.
UP NEXT: The Dallas Wings will remain at College Park Center for their final preseason matchup against the Chicago Sky on Wednesday, May 15th. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
