Nigerian-born stars, Arike Ogunbowale and Nneka Ogwumike, displayed their exceptional talent in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) as the Dallas Wings triumphed over the Los Angeles Sparks with a convincing 98-84 victory.
Read Also: Nigeria International Nicole Payne Completes Move to PSG
The Wings’ fifth consecutive win showcased the prowess of Ogunbowale, who shone during the third quarter, contributing 12 of her total 25 points in that period.
Natasha Howard also made a significant impact for the Wings with an impressive 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Satou Sabally showcased her versatility with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. The team’s remarkable performance resulted in their seventh win out of the previous eight games.
The Los Angeles Sparks, who had previously secured back-to-back victories against the Wings, faced a challenging game, recording a franchise-record loss in the past eight matches.
The Wings’ outstanding field goal percentage of 53.9% (41 of 76) significantly contributed to their commanding lead, outscoring the Sparks by 26 points and forcing 12 turnovers.
Nneka Ogwumike briefly put the Sparks ahead with a wide-open 3-pointer early in the third quarter, but Arike Ogunbowale’s response with a step-back 3-pointer ignited a 12-3 run, firmly securing the lead for Dallas.
In terms of individual performances for the Sparks, Dearica Hamby led the scoring with 18 points on an impressive 8 of 9 shooting, followed by Jordin Canada with 16 points and seven assists. Nneka Ogwumike and Azurá Stevens contributed 16 and 12 points, respectively.
Both Nneka Ogwumike and Arike Ogunbowale have represented their Nigerian heritage proudly at the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game, further showcasing their skills and impact in the league.
As Nigerian-born representatives, they continue to be shining stars in the WNBA, leaving a remarkable mark on the sport.
