The Dallas Wings kept our heart rates low in the fourth quarter as Dallas won 89-76 over the Toronto Tempo.
Before this win, the last three wins for Dallas caused fans to take a deep breathe after the final whistle. Each win required heroic efforts from Paige Bueckers. This time, Bueckers was able to sit for the final three minutes because she sealed the win earlier in the fourth quarter.
Dallas entered the fourth quarter leading 71-59, but the Tempo cut the deficit to 75-66 with 6:02 remaining in the game.
The Wings responded with a timeout.
Following the timeout, Bueckers took the ball and forced a one-on-one with Marina Mabrey. Bueckers went to the free throw line after she was fouled by Mabrey. Bueckers hit both free throws and scored on the next possession to bring the score to 79-66. Bueckers finished the game with 22 points and seven assists. She was one of five players to reach double figures as all five Wings starters reached double figures.
A quick start to set a season high in first
Dallas held the lead for the entirety of the game because of its strong start. Dallas scored 30 points in the first quarter, setting a season high point total for a first quarter.
Dallas scored 30 points because of its 3-point shooting and offensive rebounds in the opening quarter.
Dallas shot 50% from beyond the arc to start the game. The first 3-pointer came from Azzi Fudd as she gave Dallas a 3-0 lead. Then, the second 3-pointer gave Dallas a 6-0 lead thanks to Bueckers.
The 3-point shooting was aided by second chances created from the offensive rebounds. Dallas finished the opening quarter with seven offensive rebounds. The strong start to the game gave Dallas a 30-19 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
In the previous ten games, Dallas struggled to start the game strong. Dallas avoided the trap to earn its second straight road win.
Jessica Shepard on the boards
Jessica Shepard has been a key part to the Wings success this season, leading to her starting in the upcoming WNBA All-Star game. Shepard helps the offense with her scoring and passing, but against the Tempo she helped the Wings offense with her offensive rebounding. Shepard led the team with six offensive rebounds as the Wings finished the game with 16 offensive rebounds.
Throughout the game, Shepard was seen crashing the boards and fighting to give the offense a second chance.
She accomplished that goal multiple times and helped Dallas reached a 12-point lead in the third quarter with an offensive rebound. Shepard rebounded Fudd’s missed 3-pointer and gave the ball to Bueckers who scored with a layup to make the score 69-57 with 1:22 remaining in the third quarter.
Her battle to grab offensive rebounds led to her finishing with 15 rebounds. Combined with her 14 points Shepard recorded her 12th double-double of the season.
Azzi Fudd’s shooting from beyond the arc
Fudd finished with 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting from the field. Most of her shots came from beyond the arc as she went 5-of-11 from the 3-point line. Fudd was one 3-pointer away from setting a career high.
She accounted for half of the 3-pointers made for Dallas. The Wings made 10 of their 28 attempts. When Dallas finished the first quarter 50% from the 3-point line, Fudd went 2-of-3 from the 3-point line. Throughout the game Fudd showed her willingness to let the ball fly and her ability to impact the 3-point shooting for the Wings. Fudd did this while also finishing the game with three steals.
