On June 22, 2025, the Dallas Wings faced a tough overtime loss against the Washington Mystics at the College Park Center, falling 91-88. The game’s intensity was underscored by a pivotal Arike Ogunbowale clutch moment that highlighted both her leadership and the mounting pressures on the Wings during crunch time. Despite a hard-fought effort to tie the score at 84-84 by the end of regulation, Dallas was ultimately outmatched in rebounding and finishing plays during the final minutes.
Arike Ogunbowale, known for her poise and experience born from her days at Notre Dame, appeared contemplative following the game. Her rare silent six-second pause before answering postgame questions spoke volumes about the challenge of sustaining calm under pressure. This brief hesitation reflected not only a missed opportunity on the scoreboard but also the mental weight of guiding a young and developing team through tight moments.
Final Minutes Dominated by Washington’s Rebounding and Clutch Plays
The Washington Mystics seized control in the fourth quarter, especially on the boards. At 4:49 left in the quarter, Shakira Austin grabbed a critical offensive rebound and quickly converted it into points, igniting momentum for Washington. The Mystics continued their dominance on the glass, securing crucial defensive rebounds through Sonia Citron and Sug Sutton. With just one second remaining in regulation, Austin managed to prevent the Wings from gaining possession, pushing the contest into overtime.
In the extra period, the Mystics maintained their rebounding supremacy, collecting seven rebounds in five minutes, including four offensive boards. Sonia Citron’s putback with 26 seconds left was a key play that set up her game-winning three-pointer with 12 seconds remaining. After Ogunbowale’s subsequent missed shot at 8.1 seconds, Dallas never regained control of the ball to mount a comeback.
Ogunbowale reflected on what went wrong in the closing moments.
“Arike, what were some of the things that you saw down the stretch: fourth quarter and overtime? You know, lots of, big plays went both ways, but what were some of your main takeaways?”
an interviewer asked postgame. After a significant pause, she responded, “Probably just rebounding,” highlighting the decisive factor in those tense final moments.
Missed Opportunities and the Battle for Momentum
The Wings struggled not only with rebounding but also with shot execution in the crucial stretch. Ogunbowale had several missed attempts, including a driving floater at 4:34, a long three-pointer at 1:28, and a deep 32-foot shot with just over eight seconds remaining. Dallas failed to secure any offensive rebounds, ceding control to the Mystics, whose ability to attack the glass preserved their narrow lead.
Ogunbowale candidly addressed the unpredictability of the game, saying,
“Kobe, LeBron, all of them, they’ve missed some important shots in their lifetime,”
and added,
“It’s a part of the game, you know? I’m not going to be able to make every shot.”
These remarks, made after an earlier career setback at Notre Dame, underscored her understanding that adversity is part of the sport, even if it means experiencing tough moments again.
Leadership Challenges Amid Team’s Youth and Growth
As the Wings navigate a season with a relatively young roster, Ogunbowale’s role as both scorer and mentor has been critical. Rookie Paige Bueckers has relied heavily on Ogunbowale’s composure and experience to learn how to handle pressure situations and momentum shifts. However, the pressure of tight late-game moments in this contest revealed the challenges the team still faces in translating experience into consistent results.
The audience caught a glimpse of Ogunbowale’s internal struggle in her measured, almost silent response after the game. It emphasized that in professional sports, mental fortitude is as vital as physical execution when leading a team under high-stakes conditions.
Washington Mystics Celebrate Rookie Breakout and Take a Social Media Jab
The Mystics’ overtime victory was highlighted by a breakout performance from rookie Sonia Citron who delivered a career-high 27 points, 11 rebounds, along with two assists, two steals, and a block. Her decisive three-pointer with 12 seconds left sealed the win and made headlines in the WNBA after such an intensely contested game. Washington’s success was also fueled by the all-around contributions from Kiki Iriafen, who racked up 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and five steals.
Citron, reflecting on her clutch shot, credited her teammates:
“Credit to my teammates, Shakira [Austin] was getting doubled and she found me, and I’ve been struggling from the three, so I was just hoping it went in. I was just happy that it went in.”
This highlighted the team’s unselfish play that proved crucial in the game’s final moments.
In the aftermath, the Mystics embraced their win with some playful banter on social media, targeting the Wings with a clever wordplay:
“Couldn’t think of any dub puns. Guess we’ll just wing it,”
poking fun at the Dallas team’s name and their loss.
Looking Ahead: Wings and Mystics Set to Clash Again
The Dallas Wings will have a chance to redeem themselves when they host the Washington Mystics once more on Saturday, June 28, at the College Park Center. Both teams feature promising young talent eager to assert themselves as the season unfolds, and the upcoming rematch promises a continuation of their emerging rivalry.
For Arike Ogunbowale, the recent loss offers a moment of reflection on leadership and clutch moments as she strives to guide her team through a transitional season. The Wings’ performance in future close games will hinge on how they respond to this painful but instructive experience, particularly in the areas of rebounding and finishing under pressure.