The Dallas Wings (18-10) fell to the Atlanta Dream (17-10) 82-81 in the final moments of the game, as the two squads returned from the All-Star break in a Wednesday night nationally televised showdown. Tonight’s loss came in the final moments of a match that the Wings held momentum throughout.
The Wings controlled the first half despite Paige Bueckers’ slow start to the game, with Jessica Sheppard and Arike Ogunbowale keeping Dallas’ head above water as they held a 38-32 halftime lead. Dallas continued to control the game coming out of intermission as the Dream tried to claw their way back into it. Isobel Borlase was the only one to show up in the third quarter for Atlanta, and the Dream faced a 12-point deficit heading into the final quarter. Atlanta closed the gap late in the fourth quarter, with Allisha Gray and Angel Reese leading the charge, and ultimately broke our hearts off a late flagrant call on Ogunbowale.
Arike Ogunbowale led the way for the Wings with 24 points on 9-of-16 from the field. Angel Reese and Allisha Gray combined for 47 points for the Dream.
Here are three key takeaways from the Wings’ loss.
Shepard, Fudd, and Arike step up to the plate
A tip of the hat goes to Azzi Fudd, Jessica Shepard, and Ogunbowale (more on her momentarily) for stepping up offensively tonight against a tough Atlanta team. Shepard and Ogunbowale were the engine of Dallas’ offense in the first half. Shepard has continued to show her talents as an offensive hub as a big, and Dallas relied on her size and strength, combined with her playmaking and her ability as a screener to create open shots. Fudd showed she is still feeling hot coming off her three-point contest win over the All-Star break, adding 20 points. Though their efforts weren’t enough, this team continues to show they are a top offensive team even on a Bueckers off-night.
Ogunbowale’s consistency
Arike Ogunbowale did typical Arike things for the Wings tonight, taking charge on offense when it was clear it wasn’t Bueckers’ night. She finished with 24 points and is averaging 22 points over the last six games. Dallas has been able to rely upon her on the offensive end during its recent winning stretch, and the Dream were unable to focus on both her and Bueckers at the same time, and Ogunbowale took advantage of this. When she is playing comfortably, she is an electric scorer, and she has shown this recently, and the Wings were almost able to pull away before her late flagrant foul.
30-point Dream fourth quarter
Dallas got too complacent in the fourth quarter, allowing Atlanta to completely flip the momentum of the game late in the fourth. The Dream scored at will late in the game, finishing the quarter with 30 points, a game-high scoring quarter. They failed to break 20 in the previous three quarters, but were led by former Wing Allisha Gray, who came up clutch for the Dream off her premier scoring and late free throws.
The Dallas Wings will be back in action Friday night as they head to the nation’s capital to face the Washington Mystics. Tune into ION at 6:30 p.m. CT for the early tip-off.