Wings Down Mystics
Published on July 28, 2023 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Dallas Wings News Release
ARLINGTON, Texas - The Dallas Wings (14-10) defeated the Washington Mystics (12-12), 90-62, at College Park Center Friday night.
With a 14 point, 11 rebound and 10 assist performance, Satou Sabally recorded her first career triple-double. She became the first Wings player since the team relocated to Dallas in 2016 and the 26th player in WNBA history to record a triple-double. Dallas' 29 assists represent their second most of the season while Sabally's ten assists represent a new career high, beating her previous high of seven.
Dallas held the Mystics to a season low 62 points, beating their previous low of 66 in Indiana. The 28-point differential represents the Washington Mystics' worst loss since Aug 16, 2017, when Washington lost 95-62 to the Sparks. The 28-point margin of victory ties the sixth largest this season and is the second largest by Dallas in 2023 (+40 vs. MIN 7/12).
The Wings shot a season high 58.7% (37-63) from the field, an effort led by Teaira McCowan who shot 9-11 (81.8%). McCowan recorded 18 points alongside Arike Ogunbowale, while also grabbing seven boards. McCowan and Ogunbowale each recorded four assists as well.
Natasha Howard finished the night just one rebound shy of a double-double. Howard totaled 14 points and nine rebounds alongside three assists and a team leading two blocks.
In the first half alone, Dallas grabbed 28 boards, an effort led by Natasha Howard who had eight. Washington recorded just 11 rebounds in the first half. Dallas' 28 rebounds represent the fourth most recorded in a single half this season. Of the top four figures, the Wings own two, with the second most rebounds in a half this season being the 30 Dallas recorded against Washington on July 2. The Wings concluded with 48 rebounds versus the Mystics' 21. The +27 rebounding differential represents the second largest this season. The Wings currently occupy the top three spots in rebound differentials (+30 vs. WAS 7/02, +24 vs. PHO 6/07).
Awak Kuier and Maddy Siegrist each recorded 10 points in the final 10 minutes to combine for 91% of the team's points in the quarter. Their performances represent the first time this season that two Wings players have reached double figures off the bench in the same game. Kuier concluded the night with a career high 12 points on 6-8 (75%) shooting, while Siegrist finished with 10 points.
Dallas Wings Notes:
* Teaira McCowan concluded the first quarter with 14 points, a career high for points in a singular quarter. * The Wings recorded 14 second change points to the Mystics' three and 14 fast break points to the Mystics' nine. Dallas additionally recorded 60 points in the paint while Washington only had 28. * The Dallas bench outscored the Mystics bench 24-16. * The Wings improved their record at home to 9-3.
Up Next:
* The Wings will look to beat the Las Vegas Aces once again on Sunday, July 30 at 5pm CT at Michelob ULTRA Arena with coverage locally on Bally Sports Southwest and nationally on CBS Sports Network.
Score after 1st Quarter: Dallas 24, Washington 12 Score at Halftime: Dallas 43, Washington 29 Score after 3rd Quarter: Dallas 68, Washington 51 Final Score: Dallas 90, Washington 62
POST GAME QUOTES
Head Coach Latricia Trammell
On how winning the third was impactful today... "I'm going to have to give a shoutout to Satou [Sabally]. That's her first triple double, only the 26th in league history, and the first time in Dallas Wings uniform and had a career high in assists. I also want to highlight Awak [Kuier]. That was her career high in points. Teaira [McCowan] dominated inside at the post, going 9-11 which is 82% from the field to start us off. We average 39.5 rebounds, at half we had 28 and we ended with 48 [rebounds]. Talk about paint points, we had 60 to their 28. We knew that they went on a little run getting in the paint and looking for those kick outs, so we had to make an adjustment there. I'm going to go back to Satou really quick, I walk in with the 'Drip' chain, because obviously, you have to give it to her; and immediately, she turns and gives it to the team. So, that's what this team is about right now, they're giving up the 'Me' for the 'We' and their having a lot of fun doing it."
On how players having individual success makes her feel... "Take me out of it. That is completely those players, buying in, having fun, making a commitment to do something special this season. They are competitors. They take pride in what they do, so I appreciate it so very much, but I'm nothing without them. I'm just telling you, and they're a really special group of young women that I'm extremely proud of."
On what the team were saying to each other to stay together during a Mystics run.... "It's kind of funny that you say that because I think I called a timeout pretty quick, I believe. They're probably so much harder on themselves than I have to be on them. It's almost like you just have to call the timeout and they know. We just talked about how that wasn't going to cut it, and that we can't get too comfortable. Every team in this league is extremely good, we're working on something bigger, right, and they're usually already talking about it amongst each other before I get to the timeout."
On what kind of momentum this game gives the Wings through the rest of the season... I think it's great momentum. I think this was such a great team effort. The bench got a lot of minutes, which was a lot of fun for them. We know what the task at hand is going into Vegas. They're going to want to pay us back and they haven't played in four days. They've been off, so they're going to be refreshed and ready to go, but also that's what this league is. We've got to fly out in the morning, practice when we land. It's a part of the process."
On what areas she has seen Kuier improve... "Confidence. That's one of the things I was really excited about with her when I got the job. She's one who I always thought had a high ceiling, and she's a freak of nature, she can run, yesterday in practice she dunked it, she's just capable of doing so much. Like I said, I think it's just her high ceiling, she will continue to enhance her game and you can see it evolving now as you mentioned, so I'm extremely excited about her."
On what her late mother would say after a win on her birthday... "Great Job, Sis. That's what she would say. My mom was a very special lady. Diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer, and a lot of people don't realize this but I took off for six months to be her caregiver. I was with her every moment and held her last breath, and I tell you what... I wouldn't trade it for the world, she's amazing... Amazing!"
On how Sabally raising her level of play impacts the team... "I think that's a big one, right? That's what she's capable of and I love what she said to her teammates in the locker room. She said when she first arrived, they only won six games, so just to see the progression of this organization and how comfortable she feels and how much she loves this team and enjoys playing with them. You know a good mental health space, where you feel good, and you can focus on the positive more than not. A lot of players will strive in that environment, and she's one of them. She feels really good, and we got to have her, we always talk about the Big 3, and she's a huge part of that. You better start putting her name in the MVP talk and a lot of other categories, because she's getting it done."
On what are the other ways Sabally stands out as a leader to this group... "I always say this too about Satou. She's very positive but she is very business-like on the court. If there's something she feels like we're not doing well or playing up to our standards then she's not afraid to say it. She'll be the first one to say that's on me, and apologize and say she'll do better, but they respect her so much that we need that leadership. We need that voice, to set that expectation and standard, and she's one that does that."
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from July 28, 2023
- Wings Down Mystics - Dallas Wings
- Allisha Gray Continues Career Year with 25-Point Performance - Atlanta Dream
- Lynx Sign Forward Emily Engstler - Minnesota Lynx
- Allisha Gray's 25 Points Not Enough as Atlanta Dream Fall to Liberty - Atlanta Dream
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
