The Dallas Wings narrowly lost to the Washington Mystics, 91-88 in overtime, on Sunday at CareFirst Arena. The game featured a notable Arike Ogunbowale Dallas Wings performance, where Ogunbowale’s efforts stood out despite the team’s defeat.
Key Moments and Player Contributions in a Tight Contest
The Wings faced a tough start, falling behind by 13 points after the first quarter. However, Dallas responded with a 31-point surge in the second quarter, taking a 45-40 halftime lead. Ogunbowale was pivotal during this comeback, scoring 14 of her 27 total points in the second period. She finished the game shooting 8-of-20 overall and 3-of-9 from three-point range, also adding three assists and one steal.
Paige Bueckers also made a significant impact for Dallas, contributing 20 points on 7-of-17 shooting. She secured nine rebounds and seven assists while playing 40 minutes. Bueckers buried a crucial three-pointer with about 11 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the game and send it to overtime.
Final Quarter Surge and Overtime Highlights
The third quarter saw a back-and-forth battle, with Dallas gaining momentum after a buzzer-beater by JJ Quinerly. Nevertheless, Washington outscored Dallas 22-15 in the fourth quarter, nearly closing the game without overtime until Bueckers’ late three-pointer.
In overtime, the Mystics outperformed the Wings 7-4. The deciding factor was a key three-pointer by rookie Sonia Citron, who finished with a career-high 27 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 69.2 percent from the field and hitting four of seven shots from beyond the arc.
The Mystics’ team shooting from three-point range was exceptional, connecting on 46.7 percent of their attempts. This shooting proficiency helped them edge past Dallas in the final moments.
The Road Ahead for the Dallas Wings
Dallas is now 3-12 for the season after their brief two-game winning streak was halted. Despite the loss, the strong performances by Ogunbowale and Bueckers provide a foundation for hope and continued effort in the coming games. The Wings will look to regroup and build on their resilience as the season progresses.
“With the score tied 88-88 in overtime, Mystics rookie Sonia Citron connected on a three-pointer that ultimately proved to be the difference in the game.” —Unnamed Source