By Kayte Ledbetter

The Wings fell, 104-96, to the Sky at College Park Center this afternoon. Chicago recorded 12 baskets from deep, while also knocking down 30-35 free throws. With Chicago’s 104 points today, they became the 3^rd team in WNBA history to score 100+ points in three consecutive games.

The teams combined for 54 fouls and 70 free throw attempts, 35 each. Today’s 70 combined free throw attempts are a WNBA season high, exceeding the previous high of 67 set in a game between Dallas and Atlanta on June 20. The last time there were 70 or more combined free throw attempts in a game was exactly a year ago today (8/6/22, IND vs. DAL – 74). The 54 fouls are the most in a WNBA game since August 2, 2020 (PHO vs. NYL – 59).

In a game that saw 12 lead changes and 12 ties, the matchup lasted just 17 minutes shorter than the longest WNBA game, a game that lasted 2 hours and 57 minutes and went into three overtimes (2002, ORL vs. CLE).

Returning to Dallas, Marina Mabrey went off for 32 points to lead the Sky in scoring. Kahleah Copper followed with 23 points.

Satou Sabally recorded a team leading 25 points, sinking half of the Wings’ shots from deep, and dished out eight assists. Natasha Howard finished with 24 points on 6-9 shooting, while also hitting 11-13 shots from the free throw line. The duo both grabbed five boards.

In a second quarter that proved to be the killer for the Wings, both the Dallas starters and bench totaled eight points with Kalani Brown totaling six points. Dallas and Chicago played neck and neck until the final three minutes of the quarter when the Sky pulled away on a 10-3 run to finish out the first half. The Wings were held below 20 points in the quarter for the only time during the afternoon, while the Sky totaled 25 points fueled by 10 points on 4-6 shooting from Marina Mabrey.

Mabrey led scoring for the Sky with 17 points in the first half. For the Wings at the half, Sabally had recorded 13 points alongside four rebounds and a team leading five assists and two steals.

In a scrappy third quarter that saw four technical fouls and one ejection, each team saw an offensive burst. The Wings brought it within two points in the quarter after entering the second half down nine points, but left the same way as the quarter saw the two teams score equally once again (29-29).

Both Howard and Ogunbowale totaled double digits for the Wings in the third. Howard recorded 11 points on 3-3 shooting and 5-6 shooting from the free throw line. After a quiet first half for Ogunbowale, the guard found her stride in the third quarter, totaling 10 points on 4-7 (57%) shooting.

It was a fight to the end for both teams.  The final three minutes of the fourth quarter brought a comeback opportunity for the Wings as consecutive steals allowed the Wings to score four points on back-to-back possessions. The 7-0 Dallas run brought the Wings within five points, a spurt they tried to capitalize on until the end.

Dallas will return to College Park Center on Tuesday, August 8 to take on the Las Vegas Aces. They will tipoff at 7pm with coverage on Bally Sports Southwest Extra.