By Jamal Baker
NDG Sportswriter

The Dallas Wings are heading into the league wide two-week break for the FIBA Women’s World Cup on a high note after securing a 97-71 victory over the Connecticut Sun (10-30) Sunday night at College Park Center.

All-Star guard Paige Bueckers finished with 15 points  while dishing out six assists, All-Star forward Jess Shepard posted a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double and combo guard Arike Ogunbowale scored a team high 18 points.

Ogunbowale has taken her game to another level over the past two months—averaging 16.8 points per game on 58.1% true shooting percentage.

(DWG Studio)

“Figuring out what the team actually needed from me, I think that was a big thing,” Ogunbowale said. “Obviously, I’ve been in the league a long time, and it’s looked a lot different. But just getting comfortable in this role, and I think I embraced it. I know what they need from me day in and day out, and we’ve been gelling really well, so it’s been good.”

The absence of Azzi Fudd for the rest of season due to knee surgery makes Ogunbowale’s resurgence a welcomed sight for Dallas’ playoff push. She’s the x-factor of this squad and when the four-time All-Star is locked in on both sides of the floor, the Wings are a complete team.

“She’s been really consistent, and she’s been aggressive, and she’s really gotten downhill, gotten to the free throw line, and I think that’s opened up her 3-point shot too,” Bueckers said. But she’s just been everything we needed.”

Dallas (24-16) currently holds the No. 8 seed in the playoff standings and has already clinched a postseason berth. If the playoffs started today, they’d be slated for a tough matchup against the Minnesota Lynx.

Fudd not being in the lineup will also allow guards Odyssey Sims and Aziaha James to play key roles for the Wings in the postseason. Replacing the 2026 No. 1 overall pick must be a true team effort and one I look forward to head coach Jose Fernandez figuring out.

The Wings have four games remaining in the regular season and will look to win out when the FIBA tournament concludes.

Dallas will be well represented in the international tournament as Bueckers is a member of the United States roster and Fernandez will serve as a scout coach. Alanna Smith, Li Yueru and Costanza Verona will play for Australia, China and Italy, respectively.

“To be able to represent our country and play for something much bigger than yourself—it’s truly an honor at the highest level,” Bueckers said.

Bueckers joins a loaded USA squad that also features Aliyah Boston, Sonia Citron, Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Rhyne Howard, Kiki Iriafen, Angel Reese, Breanna Stewart and Jackie Young.

The roster will be led by head coach Kara Lawson and her assistants Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbetts and Stephanie White.

Although the WNBA season is on pause, it’s always special to see some of the best players in the world compete together and build camaraderie in such a short amount of time.

The 2026 USA Women’s National Team will certainly come back to the States victorious and win gold in Berlin.