Arike Ogunbowale

Circumstances, to some, could’ve appeared dire for the Dallas Wings as they entered the final eight minutes of their season opener in a five-point hole, and momentum solely in the hands of the visiting Chicago Sky. Both calm and completely aware of the scorer they produced, the Wings’ commentators echoed a couldn’t-be-more-true sentiment shared by all in support: “It’s about that time. It’s Arike Ogunbowale time.” One defensive stand away from putting further punctuation to an exclamatory, 14-point fourth quarter explosion, Ogunbowale shuts the door on Chicago’s win attempt, pickpocketing her former teammate before igniting the crowd with a game-sealing fastbreak layup. The WNBA’s No. 1 fourth-quarter scorer in 2019, 2020, and 2021, Ogunbowale’s smooth-under-pressure performance at College Park Center was nothing short of professional, as she used a six-of-seven shooting output in the final frame to support a 25-point performance, accompanied by three rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and a pair of 3-pointers. The showcase helped the Wings outfly the Sky, opening the WNBA’s 2024 campaign in style on May 15, 2024.