The Dallas Wings earned a 92–82 victory over the New York Liberty on Monday night behind a dominant first half and a career performance from Arike Ogunbowale, snapping a two-game skid and improving to 8–19 on the season.
Ogunbowale finished with 20 points and a franchise-record-tying 14 assists, becoming the first player in Wings history to record a points-assists double-double in a single half. She dished 10 assists before halftime and out-assisted the entire Liberty roster through the first two quarters. It marked the fifth points-assists double-double of her career and her first this season.
“It was a career-high in assists, so probably,” Ogunbowale said when asked if it was the best decision-making game of her career. “My teammates were knocking everything down. It was great team basketball.”
Wings Seize Control Early
Dallas outscored New York 63–36 through two quarters. The Wings shot 58.7 percent from the floor and recorded 20 assists in the half, setting a franchise record.
Head coach Chris Koclanes praised the energy and execution that defined the opening stretch.
“Just energy and defensive tenacity,” Koclanes said. “We got stops and ran in transition. We found disruption early and were aggressive at the point of attack. I’m proud of that start.”
The Wings started a new lineup featuring JJ Quinerly, Paige Bueckers, Ogunbowale, Haley Jones and Luisa Geiselsöder. The group set the tone early, using an 8-0 run to force a first-quarter timeout from the Liberty.
“We were just trying to have a fast start and come out strong,” Bueckers said. “Deflect, make everything hard for them on defense, and then get out in transition and run. We were moving the ball, getting good shots, and making catches difficult for them. Our rotations were solid. We’re proud of the start.”
Bueckers finished with 20 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals in her 10th 20-point game of the season. Her presence alongside Ogunbowale continues to be a focal point of the Wings’ offense.
“I think it’s more communication,” Ogunbowale said. “We made it a point to just communicate with each other more, pick each other up if we see something going on. Just building that relationship and that chemistry—knowing we’re kind of two leads on this team and a lot goes through us—so we have to be on the same page. We’ve been really intentional about it.”
Koclanes noted the chemistry between the two guards has continued to evolve.
“They’re getting closer and more intentional,” he said. “They’re ignoring outside narratives and focusing on what they can control together. It’s a special relationship in the making.”
Liberty Rally Falls Short as Wings Hold On Late
New York switched to a zone in the second half, and Dallas struggled offensively in the fourth quarter. The Wings managed just one field goal over the final 10 minutes but maintained the lead at the free throw line and with timely defensive stops.
“We couldn’t get shots to go in, so we had to rely on our defense,” Bueckers said. “They were getting out in transition and to the free throw line. We tightened up defensively. Their zone slowed us down, so we tried to change sides of the floor, get into the middle of the zone, and attack. We just gutted it out.”
Despite the struggles, the Wings handed the Liberty their eighth loss of the season and secured a lead in the season series between the teams.
It was 20-20 vision from the @DallasWings backcourt in the win over the Liberty 👀🤝
Paige Bueckers: 20 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL
Arike Ogunbowale: 20 PTS, 14 AST (career-high), 2 3PMArike also became the first player in WNBA history to have 15 PTS & 10 AST in a half!… pic.twitter.com/FBWmZVAWs6
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 29, 2025
“We’ve been treating it like a new season—scratch everything that happened before and focus on the present,” Ogunbowale said. “That’s what I’ve been doing. That’s what we’ve been doing.”
Bueckers turned the attention back to her teammate when asked about her own steady performance.
“For me, it wasn’t about my performance—it was about Arike’s,” she said. “She had 20 points, 14 assists, only one turnover. Playing within the offense, on both ends of the floor. Tonight’s story should be about her.”
The Wings return to action Wednesday night at College Park Center when they host the Atlanta Dream. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.
