NFL
By: Ashmere Prasad
After a Game 1 domination on Sunday, the Valkyries hoped to win Game 2 and get some rest before the semifinals. The Dallas Wings had other plans.
Arike Ogunbowale was on another level the entire game and led the Wings’ offense in scoring. She set a WNBA record, finishing with 45 points, the most in a playoff game. The Wings put everything on the line with their backs against the wall. Alysha Clark followed with 21 points and went 3-for-4 from the arc. The fans were hyped and roared throughout the entire game, fueling the offensive takeover. Dallas is the second-best team in the WNBA, with the best home-court record, behind Golden State.
Gabby Williams and Kayla Thornton entered the postgame press conference visibly frustrated. “Our energy was different. I didn’t recognize us tonight,” Williams said. “I don’t think any of us did…They hit some tough shots at the end. Those are things we can’t control, but if you can control what we do, it doesn’t come down to those things.”
The Valkyries prided themselves on their defense all season, and for good reason. They held the number one spot. But allowing a season-high 108 points is not their defensive game plan. Golden State struggled to take care of the ball as well, and committed 13 turnovers – eight in the first half. Not their typical standard.
“I don’t think we’ve ever given up 108,” head coach Natalie Nakase said. “I have to do better. I gotta get better in terms of getting on them quicker. I can communicate and demand more in timeouts quicker.”
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth battle. Each team went shot for shot, but the Valkyries gave up six points to foul calls, yet they still led by one with under 90 seconds remaining. Paige Bueckers chucked a far-off three-pointer to take the lead, and Williams followed up the turnover with a midrange jumper, pushing the lead to three.
With 37.5 seconds remaining and the Valkyries leading 91-88, Janelle Salaun traveled. Ogunbowale scored in the paint on the inbound pass, and it felt like Golden State could sneak away with a win once Williams hit her free throws.
Ogunbowale tested her hot hand, dribbled to the corner, and hit a three to tie. Nothing but net. She dominated in overtime with 11 of the Wings’ 15 points. Six points from the arc and five on the free-throw line. The momentum never truly swung in the Valkyries’ favor.
Williams had her best game of the season, but it wasn’t enough to help Golden State in the final minutes. She closed out with 36 points, a career-high, 5-of-12 from the arc, and six rebounds.
All season, when Golden State didn’t play to their level or allowed a comeback, they put the emphasis on defense. Their defense dictated their offense, and shooters found a rhythm. Without a scoring partner, Williams hit every bucket she could, but the defense couldn’t stop them on the other end.
In Friday’s elimination game, Golden State will look to right their wrongs at home and earn a spot in the semifinals.
