WNBA REVIWE: Angel Reese accomplishes with the Chicago Sky what Caitlin Clark has yet to achieve.
Diamond DeShields led a well-rounded offense with 16 points as the Chicago Sky dominated the fourth quarter to defeat the Dallas Wings 83-74 on Saturday night, splitting the season-opening series.
Chicago outscored Dallas 28-11 in the final quarter to overcome an eight-point deficit, with multiple players contributing, while Arike Ogunbowale scored nine of the Wings’ 11 points.
Marina Mabrey, who scored all 14 of her points in the second half, sparked the Sky with a 3-pointer at the start of the fourth quarter. Elizabeth Williams followed with consecutive baskets, and Angel Reese completed a three-point play to give Chicago a 67-65 lead with 6:29 remaining.
Reese capped a 14-0 run, making it 72-65 with 4:30 left. Despite Ogunbowale scoring the next nine points for Dallas, Chicago continued to extend their lead.
In the season opener on Wednesday, Ogunbowale scored 14 of her 25 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Wings to a 14-0 run in the final minutes to win 87-79. Dallas had a significant advantage in points in the paint with a 60-42 edge in that game, but in the rematch, Chicago led 28-24 in that category.
Williams contributed 10 rebounds, six steals, and five blocks, while Dana Evans and reserve Chennedy Carter each scored 12 points for Chicago, and Reese added 11 points with nine rebounds. Mabrey also had nine rebounds, eight assists, and five steals.
Ogunbowale finished with 35 points for Dallas, and Kalani Brown added 11 off the bench.
The Wings pulled away from a 26-26 tie to lead 42-30 at halftime. The Sky struggled from behind the arc, making just 1 of 9 attempts and shooting 28% (11 of 39) overall.
Ogunbowale scored 10 points in the third quarter, giving Dallas a 63-55 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Dallas was short-handed, losing two starters from Wednesday’s win. Natasha Howard, who played with a broken foot, will miss at least a month, and Jaelyn Brown is sidelined for about a week with a broken nose.
The Wings signed Monique Billings to a Hardship Contract, joining the team on Friday night. Billings, who previously played six seasons in Atlanta, was the last cut from Los Angeles. She played 20 minutes, scoring five points and grabbing four rebounds.
