Wings beat Valkyries in overtime to force Game 3

The Dallas Wings defeated the Golden State Valkyries 108-100 in overtime on September 30, tying their first-round WNBA playoff series and forcing a deciding Game 3. Arike Ogunbowale scored 45 points for Dallas, the highest total in a WNBA playoff game, as the Wings recovered from a Game 1 loss and kept their season alive. Ogunbowale’s three-pointer with 4.1 seconds left in regulation tied the score at 93 and sent the game to overtime. She scored 11 more points in the extra period, helping Dallas outscore Golden State 15-8. The Valkyries did not score in the final two minutes of overtime, according to the game account. Golden State forward Gabby Williams led her team with 36 points. After the loss, she said the team’s energy and defensive effort had fallen short, adding that the Valkyries needed to focus on getting stops. Coach Natalie Nakase also said she needed to push for defensive adjustments more quickly and suggested the team could send additional defenders toward Ogunbowale. Alysha Clark scored 21 points for Dallas, while Paige Bueckers had 10 points on 3-for-13 shooting. For Golden State, Kaila Charles added 14 points and Kayla Thornton scored 13.