Arike Ogunbowale delivered a season-high performance, scoring 40 points to lead the Dallas Wings to a 107-92 win over the Phoenix Mercury Saturday, snapping their three-game win streak. Ogunbowale's impressive game, including 19 points in the fourth quarter, was critical in securing the win for the Wings.
Ogunbowale's all-around game included seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals, via the Associated Press. She was efficient from the field, shooting 11 of 24, including 7 of 12 from beyond the arc, and nearly perfect from the free-throw line, hitting 11 of 12 attempts. This remarkable performance was supported by strong contributions from Maddy Siegrist, who scored a career-high 22 points, Monique Billings with 18 points, and Teaira McCowan adding 13 points for the Wings, who have now won five straight games in their series against the Mercury.
The game started strong for Dallas, who led by 17 points at halftime with a 52-35 lead, thanks to a 58% shooting performance in the first half. However, the Mercury fought back in the third quarter with a 23-5 run, capped by a three-pointer from Kahleah Copper that brought her career total to 3,000 points and drew Phoenix within six points.
Despite Phoenix's efforts, Dallas maintained their composure. An 8-2 run in the middle of the fourth quarter helped the Wings regain control, finishing with a 31-point final quarter. The Mercury's defense struggled to contain Ogunbowale, who led all shooters with her scoring.
Mercury's comeback falls short against Arike Ogunbowale, Wings
Phoenix's Copper spearheaded the comeback attempt in the third quarter, finishing with 32 points. Veteran guard Diana Taurasi contributed with 28 points, including six three-pointers, while Sophie Cunningham added 11 points and Natasha Cloud dished out 12 assists. Despite their efforts, the Mercury could not maintain their momentum into the fourth quarter and fell short.
Phoenix's smaller lineup, already challenged by the absence of center Brittney Griner, who is out indefinitely with a foot injury, struggled against the Wings' taller lineup featuring 6’7” centers McCowan and Kalani Brown. This height advantage allowed Dallas to dominate the paint, scoring 52 points inside and outrebounding Phoenix 38-25.
“They’re big. This is one of those games where we got dominated inside. Give them credit, that’s their strength,” Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said, per Jenna Ortiz of the Arizona Reublic. “They took full advantage tonight.”
Despite being outplayed in the paint, the Mercury showcased their perimeter shooting strength. They made 14 three-pointers on 35 attempts, surpassing the Wings' 10 three-pointers on 20 attempts. Phoenix currently leads the league in perimeter shooting, averaging 12.2 three-pointers per game.
The game also saw a concerning moment for the Mercury when forward Rebecca Allen went down with a head injury after colliding with a screen set by McCowan in the third quarter. Allen did not return to the game, and her absence necessitated more minutes from the bench.
The Mercury now face a challenging road ahead with three consecutive away games against the undefeated Connecticut Sun, the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx. Their ability to adapt and respond to the physical play of taller teams will be crucial in these upcoming matches.
As for the Wings, Arike Ogunbowale's role as a key player highlights the potential for Dallas to continue their winning streak with strong offensive and defensive play. The Wings will face the Los Angeles Sparks Sunday.
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