In a fiercely contested season opener, the Chicago Sky succumbed to a late-game rally by the Dallas Wings, losing 87-79 on Wednesday night. Despite leading at various points in the game, the Sky could not contain Arike Ogunbowale, who ignited the Wings with 14 of her 25 points in the fourth quarter.
Critical Moments in the Final Stretch
The Sky entered the final stretch with a narrow 75-73 lead, but the Wings unleashed a 14-point barrage in the final three minutes. Ogunbowale’s deep 3-pointer, giving Dallas an 87-75 advantage with just 31 seconds remaining, was the highlight of this late surge. Alongside Ogunbowale, Natasha Howard contributed a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, and Maddy Siegrist added 13 crucial bench points.
Balanced Scoring Effort from the Sky
For Chicago, Marina Mabrey stood out with 19 points and nine rebounds, leading a balanced offensive effort that saw all five starters scoring in double digits. Diamond DeShields, returning to Chicago, added 14 points. New recruits Angel Reese and Elizabeth Williams each contributed 12 points, with Williams scoring a critical basket to tie the game at 62 all at the start of the fourth quarter.
Early Leads and Setbacks
The Sky had taken an early lead with Mabrey hitting a 3-pointer to secure a 43-40 halftime advantage. Mabrey, alongside Michaela Onyenwere, had earlier helped the Sky build a 24-14 lead with consecutive three-pointers in the first quarter.
Dallas's Comeback and Rookie Contributions
Despite their early dominance, the Sky watched as the Wings overcame their lead, with Dallas rookie Stephanie Soares scoring her first professional points on an offensive rebound and putback, helping Dallas to a brief 36-35 lead at the break.
Future Prospects and Strategic Adjustments for the Sky
Chicago's efforts were hampered by Dallas’s aggressive comeback, spearheaded by Teaira McCowan, who had a powerful performance with 18 points and 13 rebounds by halftime. As the Chicago Sky look to rebound from this tough opener, they turn their focus to their next matchup. The team's resilience will be tested as they continue to integrate their new players and refine their strategies. With a strong core and talented newcomers, the Sky are poised to make significant strides as the season progresses.
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