Rookie Redeems Herself in Dallas Win over Minnesota

Arike Ogunbowale drives to the basket during the Dallas Wings Sunday defeat over the Minnesota Lynx.

© 2019 Miss Ari Photography

Arlington - The Dallas Wings were tired of being denied. In front of a rowdy home crowd Sunday afternoon, the Wings made a remarkable late game push to defeat the Minnesota Lynx 89 - 86.

After a forgettable 2-23 showing against New York Saturday, rookie Arike Ogunbowale was poised to redeem herself. She would finish with 19 points Sunday, making seven of her 12 attempts. Three of her made buckets were timely shots from the perimeter. The rookie led all Wings' scorers, was responsible for four assists and didn’t have a single turnover.

“You know, tough shooting nights are going to happen, but it’s how you bounce back,"says Ogunbowale. "As a team, you know, I think we played great. We found each other, all our shots were in rhythm, especially in the second half. We came together and that was a big win.”

Throughout Sunday’s matchup, the Wings found themselves down by double digits on more than one occasion. Former Dallas area star Odyssey Sims was a force for the Lynx from start to finish, leading all scorers with 23 points. At times Sylvia Fowles seemed unstoppable in the paint, scoring 14 points and securing nine rebounds.

Dallas was simply relentless Sunday.

This game was a true tale of two halves. Minnesota dominated both the flow and the score of the first half, while Dallas controlled the ball and asserted themselves offensively in the second half.

Dallas shot 11-22 from three-point range, and nailed three much-needed shots from distance in the fourth quarter when it appeared Minnesota was going to steal a road victory. Kayla Thornton, Kayla Davis and Ogunbowale were each 3 of 4 from three.

“I knew she (Ogunbowale) was going to bounce back," said Dallas Coach Brian Agler. "I am more concerned about her incline and growth defensively and distributing the ball. When you are a scorer like that, and she is one of many, you are going to have games where you can’t make anything and the most important thing is how you bounce back and she responded very well today.”

With the loss, Minnesota drops to (6-6). Dallas is now undefeated at home (4-7 overall), but still looking for their first road victory. The Wings host the Indiana Fever next Friday.