Minnesota Lynx Roar to Win Over Dallas Wings, 90-78

Maddy Siegrist (No. 20) of the Dallas Wings drives to the basket against the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Monday, June 17, 2024. (Photo: Dallas Wings Basketball)

MINNEAPOLIS — Despite a very shorthanded roster, the Dallas Wings valiantly battled the Minnesota Lynx on Monday night. At times, the Wings led the Lynx by two points before falling late in the fourth quarter, 90-78.

Prior to Monday night’s game, Arike Ogunbowale was ruled out due to soreness in her Achilles. Despite losing their leading scorer on top of injuries sidelining Natasha Howard and Satou Sabally, the young squad brought their best effort to their Western Conference rivals.

In the early going, Maddy Siegrist and Sevgi Uzun set the tone early for Dallas. Meanwhile, Kayla McBride, Dorka Juhász, Naphessa Collier, Cecilia Zandalasini set the tone with their scoring for Minnesota.

Teaira McCowan and Monique Billings made timely baskets to keep the Wings within five points against the Lynx going into the second quarter.

Kalani Brown, along with Billings, Uzun, Siegrist, McCowan and Lou Lopez Sénéchal brought the Wings closer to the Lynx, ending the first half with Minnesota leading Dallas, 43-39.

Going into the second half, Siegrist’s running layup, McCowan’s layup and timely jump shots by Jacy Sheldon put Dallas in a one-point lead over Minnesota with 7:43 left in the third quarter. Billings, Uzun, Lopez Sénéchal and Brown kept Dallas in the game against Minnesota going into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Minnesota’s offense proved too relentless against the young, upstart Wings. Outscored 24-15, Minnesota defeated Dallas, dropping the Wings to a 3-10 record.

Stephanie Soares (No. 10), Jacy Sheldon (No. 4) and Sevgi Uzun (No. 1) take a moment before battling the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo: Dallas Wings Basketball)

Even with the Wings losing their eighth consecutive game, Uzun considered the positives, including her budding chemistry with her fellow Dallas teammates.

“It was a tough game, I have to say that first,” Uzun said. “But besides that, I’m so proud of my team because everybody did a lot of positive things today. So it wasn’t only that, of course.

“I’m happy because I was able to help my team, but there’s a lot of positive and good things that I wouldn’t be able to do that without them. So. I think there was like it was a good game for us.”

Billings, the sixth-year player from UCLA, spoke like an inspired veteran about her teammates and their resolve.

“I see us making steps in the right direction, which is always a positive thing,” Billings said. “I think that started with Sev. She took the charge with that. Just her energy, I fed off of it. I felt like the team fed off of it. And that kept us in the game, for a majority of it.

“It’s just a small details and the little just kinks that will figure out that we’re still figuring out as a team, game by game, but definitely feeling closer and closer and keeping the faith. I feel like our locker room, we still believe we’re not defeated, so we got to keep going.”

The tandem of Uzun and Billings showcased their uncanny chemistry, not only on their court, but with a lighthearted moment after the game.

“She’s teaching me Turkish. I’m kidding,” Billings quipped with a hardy laugh. “Sev is just a very positive point guard. She runs, she plays hard, and I feed off of that, so I feel the same thing.”

Such mutual respect was expressed by Uzun who praised Billings’ play, presence and optimistic approach, a mindset that works well in the ‘next player up’ mentality.

“Yeah, we feed off each other, and all she wants to do is help us,” Uzun shared. “So I love having a teammate like that. She’s helping me a lot on the court and she’s making stuff easier for me. So, I think it comes from like both we just want to win. I think when you play hard, it’s just like coming naturally.”

The Rundown

Dallas Wings: By the Numbers

Sevgi Uzun (No. 1), Monique Billings (No. 25) and Stephanie Soares (No. 10) huddle with Maddy Siegrist (No. 25) in their game against the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Monday, June 17, 2024. (Photo: Dallas Wings Basketball)

Minnesota Lynx: By the Numbers