By Kayte Ledbetter
Rebounding and scoring diversity aided the Wings in their 90-62 win over the Washington Mystics Friday at College Park Center.
With a 14 point, 11 rebound and 10 assist performance, Satou Sabally recorded her first ever career first triple-double. She becomes the first Wings player to record a triple-double since the team relocated to Dallas in 2016 and the 26th player in WNBA history. Dallas’ 29 assists represent their second most of the season while Sabally’s 10 assists represent a new career high, beating her previous high of seven.
Dallas held the Mystics to a season low 62 points, beating their previous low of 66 in Indiana. The 28-point differential represents the Washington Mystics’ worst loss since Aug 16, 2017, when Washington lost 95-62 to the Sparks. The 28-point margin of victory ties the sixth-largest this season and is the second largest by Dallas in 2023 (+40 vs. MIN 7/12).
The Wings shot a season high 58.7% (37-63) from the field, an effort led by Teaira McCowan who shot 9-11 (81.8%). McCowan recorded 18 points alongside Arike Ogunbowale, while also grabbing seven boards. Both McCowan and Ogunbowale each dished out four assists.
Natasha Howard finished the night just one rebound shy of a double-double. Howard totaled 14 points and nine rebounds alongside three assists and a team leading two blocks.
Teaira McCowan stayed hot in the first quarter, starting off 5-6 in the first five minutes to record 10 points, while grabbing two rebounds. She concluded the first quarter with 14 points, a career high for points in a single quarter. She shot 7-9 (77.8%) and recorded five rebounds.
Dallas recorded double the Mystics points (24-12) in the first quarter on 11-19 shooting (57.9%), while holding the Mystics to just five baskets (5-18, 27.8%).
In the first half alone, Dallas grabbed 28 boards, an effort led by Natasha Howard who had eight. Washington recorded just 11 rebounds in the first half. Dallas’ 28 rebounds represent the fourth most recorded in a single half this season. Of the top four figures, the Wings own two, with the second most rebounds in a half this season being the 30 Dallas recorded against Washington on July 2.
The Dallas bench sealed the deal for the team fourth quarter, as both Awak Kuier and Maddy Siegrist each recorded 10- points in the final 10 minutes to combine for 91% of the team’s points in the quarter. Their performances represent the first time this season that two Wings players have reached double figures off the bench in the same game. Kuier concluded the night with a career high 12 points on 6-8 (75%) shooting, while Siegrist finished with 10 points. The Dallas bench outscored the Mystics bench 24-16.
In the fourth quarter Dallas once again recorded double the points of the Mystics (22-11) as they shot 10-18 (55.5%) while Washington shot 5-17 (29.4%).
The Wings concluded with 48 rebounds versus the Mystics’ 21. The +27 rebounding differential represents the second largest this season. The Wings currently occupy the top three spots in rebound differentials (+30 vs. WAS 7/02, +24 vs. PHO 6/07).
Dallas continues to lead the league in second chance points (14.7) and fast break points (14.4) and proved tonight just why they top those statistics. The Wings recorded 14 second change points to the Mystics’ three and 14 fast break points to the Mystics’ nine. Dallas additionally recorded 60 points in the paint while Washington only had 28.
Dallas has won eight of their last ten, including one against the league-leading Aces. The Wings look to repeat the feat and put an end to Las Vegas’ undefeated home record on Sunday at Michelob ULTRA Arena with the game being broadcast locally on Bally Sports Southwest and nationally on CBS Sports Network at 5 p.m. CT.