Arike Ogunbowale delivered a record-breaking performance on Tuesday, scoring 45 points to lead the Dallas Wings to a narrow victory over the Golden State Valkyries and level their playoff series at 1-1. The Wings trailed by three with ten seconds remaining in regulation when Paige Bueckers found Ogunbowale, who rose over French defender Gabby Williams to sink a three-pointer and force overtime.
Ogunbowale, who had 34 points through the fourth quarter, opened the extra period with another three-pointer. She later converted two free throws after a flagrant foul by Tiffany Hayes and added a third three-pointer to put Dallas up by three with under two minutes left. Golden State tried to respond, but Williams missed three consecutive shots and France's Janelle Salaun also failed from beyond the arc.
Ogunbowale's late free throws pushed her to 43 points, breaking Napheesa Collier's two-year-old record for points in a playoff game. She finished 12 of 23 from the field and 5 of 8 from three-point range.
"Obviously it is special," Ogunbowale said. "I can do this, but it wouldn't matter if we lose at the end. It's a blessing and I thank God every time I reach one of these milestones, but the win comes above everything."
After a Game 1 in which she managed only 10 points on 2-of-7 shooting, Ogunbowale said she was determined to stay aggressive. The series now shifts to San Francisco for Game 3 on Friday.
