Wings Outlast Sky in Season-Opener

The Dallas Wings defeat the Chicago Sky 87-79 in the season opener. | © 2024 Miss Ari Photography

Arlington - The Dallas Wings begin the 2024 season in the win column, after netting an 87-79 victory over the Chicago Sky on Wednesday night.

It was a late surge by Dallas that ensured the come from behind win before a sold out College Park crowd. Chicago led both at the end of the first quarter and at the half. Dallas, however, really settled into the offense in the third quarter, winning the frame by a small margin.

“We just kept saying one possession at a time,” Dallas Coach Latricia Tramell said.

Both teams entered the final quarter with 62 points. Arike Ogunbowale scored 14 of her game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter to lead the comeback for the Wings. She was joined in hustle plays by veteran Natasha Howard, who had 15 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. Maddy Siegrest scored 13 points in just 18 minutes on the floor - no points bigger than a dagger three pointer she drained with just under two minutes remaining in the game.

Four former Wings players are on the Chicago roster and each of the four had an impact in the Wednesday night competition. One of those former Dallas player - Marina Mabrey, led the way for the new look Chicago team. She scored a team-high 19 points. Angel Reese contributed 12 points for the Sky in her WNBA regular season debut. To her credit, she returned to the court after halftime determined to assert herself.

Chicago and Dallas will meet again on Saturday at College Park Center.