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(DWG Studio)<\/p>\nBy Jamal Baker
NDG Sportswriter<\/p>\n
The Dallas Wings are heading into the league wide two-week break for the FIBA Women\u2019s World Cup on a high note after securing a 97-71 victory over the Connecticut Sun (10-30) Sunday night at College Park Center.<\/p>\n
All-Star guard Paige Bueckers finished with 15 points\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
Ogunbowale has taken her game to another level over the past two months\u2014averaging 16.8 points per game on 58.1% true shooting percentage.<\/p>\n
(DWG Studio)<\/p>\n
\u201cFiguring out what the team actually needed from me, I think that was a big thing,\u201d Ogunbowale said<\/a>. \u201cObviously, I\u2019ve been in the league a long time, and it\u2019s 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\u2019ve been gelling really well, so it\u2019s been good.\u201d<\/p>\n The absence of Azzi Fudd for the rest of season due to knee surgery makes Ogunbowale\u2019s resurgence a welcomed sight for Dallas\u2019 playoff push. She\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s been really consistent, and she\u2019s been aggressive, and she\u2019s really gotten downhill, gotten to the free throw line, and I think that\u2019s opened up her 3-point shot too,\u201d Bueckers said<\/a>. But she\u2019s just been everything we needed.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019d be slated for a tough matchup against the Minnesota Lynx.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The Wings have four games remaining in the regular season and will look to win out when the FIBA tournament concludes.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n