Arike Ogunbowale made sure the Dallas Wings didn't go home Wednesday night. Dallas staved off elimination with a 108-100 overtime win over the Golden State Valkyries. The Wings evened the first-round series behind a clutch game from Ogunbowale, who set a WNBA playoff record with 45 points.
Ogunbowale made 12 of 23 field goals, including five 3-pointers, and 16 of her 18 free-throw attempts. The four-time All-Star added seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals in a memorable performance to force a winner-take-all Game 3. Several of those points also came in crucial moments.
Down by three with seconds remaining in regulation, Ogunbowale tied the game by draining a heavily contested corner three. She then scored 11 more points in overtime, including a go-ahead three to break a 100-100 tie with less than two minutes remaining. That's nothing new for Ogunbowale, who led Notre Dame to a national championship with buzzer-beaters in back-to-back Final Four games.
"I don't know, I guess I like when the time is going down," Ogunbowale told ESPN in an on-court interview after the game. Paige Bueckers scored 10 points in her first career playoff win. The second-year guard marveled at her veteran teammate after the thrilling victory.
"I can't even put into words what she just did," Bueckers told Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter. "I'm on the court in awe ... I'm just like, let me get her the ball, get out of the way." Bueckers called it an "honor" to share the court with Ogunbowale, calling her "one of one" and "definitely different." "She really carried us and did everything it took to win," Bueckers added.
"She just willed us there. So, really, really proud of her. She's built for these moments.
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