ARLINGTON, TX — The Dallas Wings came away with a three-point victory in their second meeting against the Atlanta Dream Friday night. Arike Ogunbowale led the team with 19 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block.
Arike Ogunbowale ignited the offense for Dallas after a slow start, turning a 9-11 deficit into a 16-11 lead with back-to-back shots. Despite Atlanta’s strong ball movement, their shots fell short.
Both teams demonstrated solid defense, with Dallas recording eight team steals and Atlanta posting six. Dallas maintained the lead until Atlanta’s Maya Caldwell and Haley Jones hit consecutive shots to tie the game at 25-25.
Dallas managed to pull away before halftime by creating open looks and scoring opportunities for their teammates. Alongside Ogunbowale’s scoring, rookie Jacy Sheldon and Teaira McCowan also contributed significantly. McCowan led the Wings with 12 points and six rebounds while the rook posted nine points and two steals in the first half.
Dallas held a five-point advantage before two fouls sent Atlanta to the free-throw line twice. Caldwell made both attempts, while Jones converted one of two. Dallas entered halftime with a narrow 42-41 lead.
The Wings lost their momentum as Atlanta took their first lead of the half, 55-51, in the opening minutes of the second half. As the Dream focused on the defensive end, Dallas continued to strive to maintain their lead. Dallas remained within a two-to-three-point deficit throughout the final quarter. After five lead changes, McCowan helped Dallas reclaim the lead, making it 74-73 with 2:45 on the clock.
Odyssey Sims electrified the atmosphere in the final minutes by hitting a crucial three-pointer and, two plays later, completing a layup to put the Wings up 79-76 with 1:08 remaining. Natasha Howard furthered the Wings lead sinking a two-pointer before a personal foul was called against Atlanta’s Gray, sending Ogunbowale to the line where she completed both attempts, 83-80.
When asked about playing more off the ball and getting comfortable at shooting the three, Jacy Sheldon said her teammates are the ones giving her that confidence and the least she can do is make it.
“It is all them and I mean that,” said Sheldon. “Great passes and smart plays. Like I said before, we will continue to play together and trust one another.”
But like Sheldon said the Dallas Wings will need to take this momentum to Vegas as they prepare to hit the road to take on A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday. Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m. inside Michelob Ultra Arena.
