By Kayte Ledbetter

The Dallas Wings couldn’t hold onto their lead in the fourth quarter against the Connecticut Sun and fell, 88-83, Tuesday evening at College Park Center.

Arike Ogunbowale recorded a team leading 25 points and played all 40 minutes. Ogunbowale’s 25 points represent her 14th game scoring 20 or more points and ties her for the second most games with such numbers alongside New York’s Breanna Stewart.

Satou Sabally earned her 13th double-double of the season with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Teaira McCowan joined her with a season high 21 points and 15 rebounds to record her fifth of the season. McCowan tied her career high with 10 offensive rebounds and became just the third player in WNBA history to have multiple games with 10 or more offensive rebounds over the course of their career. Dallas has had two players record a double-double in eleven games this season, while no other team has had more than five games with the same occurrence.

Dallas’ 18 offensive rebounds represent their most in a single game this season. The Wings are the only team in the league averaging 10 or more offensive rebounds (12.2) and continue to lead the league with their average of 39.5 rebounds.

With her three assists tonight, Arike Ogunbowale recorded her 500th career assist. Ogunbowale currently ranks 10th in the league with an average of 4.7 assists.

The Wings shot 60% from deep in the first quarter, an effort led by Arike Ogunbowale who went 3-3 from three. Her threes accounted for 75% of her team-leading 12 points in the quarter. Dallas and Connecticut each finished with seven threes with Dallas shooting a better 33.3%.

After the Sun began the second quarter on an 8-0 run, Dallas found themselves down double digits. The Wings came from a 12-point deficit and erased the deficit quickly, using an 18-5 run to their advantage to enter the half leading, 42-40.

Veronica Burton provided a spark in the second quarter for the Wings, providing a key three in the height of the Dallas run and dished out an assist to set up Natasha Howard for the game tying layup in the final minute of the quarter. The Wings found and maintained their first lead since 9:46 in the first quarter following a tip-in layup from Teaira McCowan at the conclusion of the second quarter.

Sabally was a key contributor in the third quarter, recording a team-leading 10 points on 3-5 shooting on top of three free throws. Sabally additionally grabbed five rebounds, while Teaira McCowan pitched in with four that included two offensive, including one that fueled a putback layup.

Veronica Burton saw her most playing time (15:21) since June 27 and provided exactly what the Wings seemed to need. The second-year guard recorded seven points off the bench, her most since the last time the Wings played Connecticut on June 4 when she had 10 points. Awak Kuier’s production off the bench proved equally important. Her length provided the Wings with two blocks and five boards that allowed her to record a team-leading +/- of six.

Both teams seemed to be propelled by rebounds in the first half, with Dallas recording 19 and Connecticut 17. The Wings were able to jump ahead as the second half saw the Wings grab 25 boards while holding the Sun to 14 but allowing three when it really mattered. The Connecticut win can be tied to three baskets off offensive rebounds in the final quarter of play at College Park Center.

“Three offensive rebounds and six points off those rebounds in those [two] possessions in the fourth,” Tramell said following the game on what was the turning point in the 4th quarter. “I think it was tied at the time, and so that was a two-minute stretch that I wish we had done better, and I know they do too. That’s growth.

The Wings will wrap up their three-game homestand against the Washington Mystics on Friday, July 28 at 7pm CT as the team will host their Celebracion Latina.