Wings Extend Win Streak, Defeat Another Top Team

Arike Ogunbowale leads all scorers with 25 points in Dallas’ win over Minnesota. © 2024 Miss Ari Photography

Arlington - The Dallas Wings (9-22) extended their win streak at home Friday night, defeating the Minnesota Lynx (23-9) 94-76. 

Dallas is healthy and showing glimpses of exactly what got them into the second round of last year's playoffs - a healthy dosage of their "big three." 

Arike Ogunbowale led all scorers Friday, with a total of 25 points. Her eight assists were a huge part of the Wings' total 21 assists. Satou Sabally scored 18 points, had eight rebounds and also had six assists herself. Natasha Howard added 17 points and an impressive three steals on the night. 

“How we've been playing as a team takes a lot of pressure off of me," Ogunbowale said. "We're all just giving each other freedom to go one on one when we need to." 

Tiearra McGowan completed the game with 11 points and 11 rebounds despite her frustrations with missing several layups. Kelani Brown scored 10 points off the bench. An added bonus for the Wings was the aggressive play of Sevi Uzun, who played 31 total minutes Friday night. Uzun scored 11 points, had four rebounds and four steals. 

Dallas Coach Latricia Trammell shared with the media how Uzun is a true student of the game, even when she’s on the bench. “She’ll sit there and analyze the game while she’s on the bench,” Trammell shared. “She knows what to do and what to call when she gets into the game.”

"I'm enjoying this because I have really great players around me - the potential is crazy.” Uzun said. “Once you play the game with all these options - it’s so fun and I’m just trying to take advantage of that.” 

The total team effort by Dallas was simply too much for what appeared to be an exhausted Minnesota team. Naphessa Collier and Kayla McBride led the Lynx in scoring with 17 and 14 points respectively. Dallas, however, held the Lynx to just 28 percent shooting from three. The home team also scored 50 points in the paint and held Minnesota to only 20 paint points. 

"When we step on the floor we can beat anyone," Trammel said."That's the mentality you want."

Dallas hosts a fourth straight home game on Sunday when the Indiana Fever come to town.