BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Breanna Stewart scored 32 points and Sabrina Ionescu added 22 to help the New York Liberty beat the Dallas Wings 102-93 on Sunday.
Trailing by six at the half, New York took over in the third quarter behind Stewart. The Liberty scored 34 points in the period, including 13 by Stewart. The game was tied at 60 midway through the period before New York scored 19 of the next 24 points. Stewart, who made 15 of her 20 field-goal attempts, had six points and two assists during the burst.
During the postgame interview, Wings head coach Latricia Trammell was asked if there is a way to defend Stewart.
Trammell said, "There is. And we just got away from it. So, I guess on a positive, save it for next time."
New York (6-2) was up 79-68 heading into the fourth quarter. Dallas (5-4) got within single digits midway through the period, but Stewart hit a tough turnaround jumper on the baseline and then Ionescu hit a 3-pointer from the wing to make it 93-79 with 4:03 left. Dallas never threatened after that.
Trammell expanding on why she believes her team couldn't close the gap toward the end of the game.
“I think because New York executed, you know, they just kept punching back. They didn’t like that momentum swinging our direction," she said.
"And so, they tightened up defensively even more, and they turned their defense into offense. And we’ve got to, we’ve done a really good job of doing that. But we just kind of got away from it this evening.”
Arike Ogunbowale finished with 25 points to lead Dallas. Satou Sabally added 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Dallas led 51-45 at the half after a strong opening 20 minutes from Ogunbowale and Sabally.
Ogunbowale had all 13 of her first-half points in the first quarter. Sabally finished the half with 12 points and eight rebounds. Stewart had 13 points for New York to go along with three blocks. One of those blocks came after she turned the ball over and chased down Veronica Burton on the other end.
After the loss, the Wings' record is 5-4 on the season. All four losses have been road games. Coach Trammell said her players are professionals and they know what to do to get better.
"...They talked a little more about the offense, and some of the areas that we need to enhance going into Wednesday’s game. And they’re not going to be satisfied. I want to tell you that we’re going to go back home and come back out with a vengeance," said Trammell.
The Wings will return home to College Park Center on Wednesday, June 14 for a 12 p.m. CT game against the Los Angeles Sparks.
Sister Act
The game featured a matchup of the Sabally sisters — Satou and Nyara. It was the first time the sisters, two years apart in age, played against each other in their careers.
Satou said they got together on Saturday after the Wings got to New York and had food at Nyara's apartment.
Playing close to home
Wings rookie Maddy Siegrist who grew up about 90 minutes north of New York had more than 400 fans in attendance. Her mom bought 300 tickets, according to the team, and a summer camp she had been affiliated with in the area also bought 150.
The No. 3 overall pick entered the game midway in the first quarter to a loud ovation from her fan club that was sitting behind the basket near the Wings bench. Many were wearing T-shirts with her number and name on the back.
They quickly got back up to cheer again when Siegrist scored her first basket of the game moments later. She finished with six points.
