WNBA Dallas Wings

Wings Drop Game 3 of Semifinals

Published on September 30, 2023 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Dallas Wings News Release


ARLINGTON, Texas - The Dallas Wings (0-3) fell, 64-61, to the Las Vegas Aces (3-0) in game three of the 2023 WNBA Semifinals Friday night at College Park Center.

Teaira McCowan recorded 10 points and 15 rebounds. Her 15 rebounds represent the second-most in franchise playoff history, tying Cheryl Ford. With her double-double tonight, McCowan became the eighth player to have four double-doubles in ger first five games of a postseason.

Arike Ogunbowale recorded 18 points alongside seven rebounds, while Natasha Howard recorded 14 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Veronica Burton recorded seven points off the bench, while grabbing four rebounds and leading the team with five steals and six assists.

Per their regular season average, the Wings grabbed double digit rebounds once again, totaling 11.

Score after 1st Quarter: Dallas 18, Las Vegas 16

Score at Halftime: Dallas 36, Las Vegas 31

Score after 3rd Quarter: Dallas 51, Las Vegas 49

Final Score: Dallas 61, Las Vegas 64

Postgame Quotes

Head Coach Latricia Trammell

On her thoughts on the final play...

"We got an open look. Natasha [Howard] has done an incredible job. Our entire team did this series. Sometimes they fall in and everyone's loving it, and sometimes they don't. At least we're in the position. I was proud of this team and what they've accomplished. Preseason we were not [expected] to make the playoffs. To make the run we did, to make franchise history, and like you said we're a new staff with only three [returning players]. I'd go to battle with this group any day. I'm extremely proud of them."

On what she is most proud of from tonight's game...

"I think their connection, their buy-in and their willingness to do something different was special. With Natasha's leadership coming in while coming into a new organization, I think about this journey and the team bonding she did, allowing teammates to come over, and doing whatever to make this a family atmosphere. That's the culture we want here and I couldn't be prouder to be a part of this organization and apart of this team. We'll learn from this. I'll grow. They'll grow and hopefully we'll be back here next season."

On what she is most proud of about this year's season...

"I think about moments from the season. Natasha's first triple double, Arike [Ogunbowale] leading in assists, sharing the basketball, I think of Satou [Sabally], what an incredible Most Improved Player [Award]. Also, you have Kalani [Brown] and Odyssey [Sims] playing on hardship contracts, and we relied on them heavy down the stretch. Veronica [Burton], who I say is the calm in the storm, Crystal [Dangerfield], Maddy [Siegrist], there's been growth whether you see it or not in the stat sheet. Mentally, physically, or whatever it looks like but there was major growth."

On what she thought about Veronica Burton's performance tonight...

"Just calm in the storm. She uses her voice so well. It was great to have three point guards this season and all three bring something to the table that we need. You always think of Veronica as the defender, but she ended up with a positive fourteen, six assists, she knows how to deliver it. She uses her voice and gets us ready to play. She's always ready."

On if there's a moment she will take away when she thinks about this season...

"I think for me it's just being the first time here, relationships we built together, how supportive of one another we are, of me, and just those moments off the courts that we shared. Even the adversity we shared, it's those moments that keep us all together."

On one thing that showed her the character of this team...

"Their resilience. It's been plenty times this season where things could've gone the other direction, but these young ladies weren't going to let that happen. They bring that competitive spirit, championship mentality, and just their will to win. They're going to bounce back. We have great leadership here to my right and I just hate it for us. I do. I know everyone works hard, but these young ladies are very committed."

On her favorite moment this season...

"I think the individual successes along the way that helped our team be successful. I think about Satou, she may have played eight or nine games last season, so to come back and have a full season is special. The growth of Arike, as I mentioned earlier, every player on this team has grown over the season. You never want to be here feeling this way, but what a great opportunity to build off this going into next season that's what I'm excited about. Like I've said, I'm honored and appreciate the opportunity from [President & CEO] Greg Bibb and [Chairman & Majority Owner] Bill Cameron. This organization is so supportive. They work their tails off in the front office to put fans in the seats, the marketing aspect of it, and people know about the Dallas Wings. That's what exciting about moving forward because we're just beginning."

On if there were any confusion on the last play...

"I know we wanted to call a timeout with eleven seconds but if I could go back, I'd let it run. I usually do that, but I wanted to put them in a situation that they felt was most comfortable. Giving Arike an open three, and Satou finishing it off I'll take that, but there's a lot of things along the lines during the game. We left eight free throws on the board. We could go and talk about different possessions that put us here. I'm going to go back to the effort. The resilience of this team. The competitive spirit, and just the performances of each of these players. Also, going back to your question - the confusion was with the officials on where the ball was to be [inbounded]. We let them know what side we wanted it, and then they said we couldn't do it after saying that we could and then moved it to the other side. So, yes there was a little confusion there."

On how much the team has built fan engagement during the playoffs...

"It's absolutely insane. This fan base has been incredible, loyal, supporting coming out, after a long day of working and coming here spending thousands to sit in the seats. I can't say enough about our fans, and I appreciate them and am looking forward to next season with them."

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