09/30/26 11:32:00
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09/30 23:31 CDT Ogunbowale scores WNBA playoff-record 45 as Wings win in OT to
force deciding game with Valkyries
Ogunbowale scores WNBA playoff-record 45 as Wings win in OT to force deciding
game with Valkyries
By SCHUYLER DIXON
AP Sports Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) --- Arike Ogunbowale scored a WNBA playoff-record 45
points, including a tying 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation, and the
Dallas Wings beat the Golden State Valkyries 108-100 in an overtime thriller
Wednesday night, forcing a deciding Game 3 in their first-round series.
Ogunbowale opened the extra period by banking in a 3, then hit another one to
put Dallas ahead for good at 103-100 with 1:46 remaining. She easily topped her
previous playoff best of 24 points.
The four-time All-Star's off-balance corner 3 for a 93-93 tie with 4.1 seconds
left in Game 2 was followed by Gabby Williams getting called for an offensive
foul on the inbound play after a Golden State timeout.
That call was reversed on replay, so instead of Aziaha James having a chance to
give Dallas the lead at the free-throw line, there was a jump ball at center
court with 3.0 seconds to go. After a scramble for the loose ball, Golden
State's desperation shot was way off target, and after the buzzer.
The deciding game will be Friday night in San Francisco, where the Valkyries
won the series opener by 24 points. Golden State is looking to advance in the
playoffs for the first time in the franchise's second season.
The late drama overshadowed an off night for Wings star Paige Bueckers, who is
making her postseason debut. The 2025 No. 1 overall pick and Rookie of the Year
scored 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting.
Williams scored a career-high 36 points, regular season or playoffs, but missed
all six of her shots in the final 1:31 of overtime to finish 12 of 23 from the
field.
Dallas' Alysha Clark tied her playoff career high with 21 points, and Aziaha
James added 13.
Kaila Charles scored 14 points for the Valkyries, and Kayla Thornton had 13.
Cecilia Zandalasini was limited to three shots and five points after leading
Golden State with 22 in the series opener.
With the scored tied at 98 in the extra period, Ogunbowale and Tiffany Hayes
had to be separated after making contact. Both were called for flagrant fouls,
and each made a pair of free throws with 2:26 remaining.
The Valkyries didn't score again, shooting 2 of 12 in overtime.
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