Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers shoots a three-pointer while Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton tries to block it during Wednesday’s game at Target Center. Photo by Abe Booker III/Sportspage Magazine
MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Lynx outlasted a Dallas Wings late charge to win their third consecutive game and the team’s home opener, 85-81 in front of an announced crowd of 12,772 at Target Center Wednesday night. It was also a homecoming of sorts for Wings guard Paige Bueckers, making her first appearance in Minnesota since being drafted by the Wings in April.
After trading baskets to begin the game, leading to an early 5-5 tie, the Wings went on a 10-0 run with a hook shot from forward Myisha Hines-Allen, a three-pointer by guard Arike Ogunbowale, a basket and free throw from forward DiJonai Carrington and a layup by forward NaLyssa Smith, to lead 15-5 with 6:00 left in the opening quarter when the Lynx called a timeout.
It was a different look for the Lynx when they came out of the huddle. Guards Natisha Hiedeman and Courtney Williams connected on three-pointers, while forwards Napheesa Collier and Bridget Carleton each scored layups. The advantage the Wings had was just erased as it was tied 15-15 with 2:48 remaining in the first quarter.
Collier made four free throws, Courtney Williams made a jump shot, and Ogunbowale answered with a three-pointer, as Minnesota closed out the quarter leading 21-18.
In the second quarter, Minnesota couldn’t find separation, and Dallas couldn’t close the gap. Lynx guard Karlie Samuelson attempted a three-pointer but was fouled by Wings guard Tyasha Harris. After making all three free throws, Minnesota led 27-22 with 8:21 left in the half.
Minnesota stretched their lead to eight points when Hiedeman made a trey, but it was answered by a buzzer beating three-pointer by Bueckers.
Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith puts up a layup as Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers trails during Wednesday’s game at Target Center. Photo by Abe Booker III/Sportspage Magazine
A three-pointer by forward Alanna Smith, followed by a fast break layup by Smith, gave the Lynx a 10-point lead, their largest of the half. Carrington and Carleton exchanged three-pointers, followed by Wings center Teaira McCowan and Carleton exchanging layups. Minnesota led 47-40 at halftime.
Neither team could get the scoring going in the third quarter. Every time the Lynx scored, the Wings answered, but missed shots abounded both ways. Dallas managed to go on a 5-0 run on a fast break layup from Ogunbowale followed by a three-pointer from forward Maddy Siegrist, but jump shots by Collier and Williams brought the Minnesota lead back up to eight points. It was 60-52 with 3:31 left in the third quarter.
Lynx forward Jessica Shepard attempted a layup and was fouled from behind by Carrington at the 2:48 mark. Hiedeman and Carrington soon became entangled in a shouting match. After separating the players, the officials reviewed the play and upgraded the penalty from a common foul to a Flagrant 1 after seeing that Carrington hit Shepard on the top of the head during the play. After the free throw attempts, Minnesota had their largest lead at 63-52.
The pressure was now on Dallas to cut the deficit before the quarter’s end. Hines-Allen made a reverse layup, Harris hit a three-pointer, Ogunbowale scored on a layup and Bueckers hit a jump shot. However, Minnesota answered with baskets from Collier and Carleton to stay just ahead of the visiting team. Minnesota led 70-62 at the end of the third quarter.
Minnesota had a problem with free throws in the beginning of the fourth quarter. Hiedeman was fouled by Harris and sent to the line for two free shots and came away empty. A short time later, Bueckers picked up her fourth foul which sent Alanna Smith to the free throw line. Smith missed both shots.
Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith and Dallas Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen battle for rebounding position during a free throw attempt on Wednesday night at Target Center. Photo by Abe Booker III/Sportspage Magazine
Bueckers shot a long buzzer beating jump shot, which was originally ruled as a good shot. On the same play, Carleton was hit with an away from the ball foul. Upon further review, officials determined that Bueckers did not get the shot off in time and nullified the basket. It didn’t matter much because Bueckers drained a three-pointer on the inbounds pass four seconds later. Minnesota led 74-67 with 6:31 left in regulation.
Collier was fouled by Hines-Allen to go to the free throw line. After making both shots, the Lynx led 76-67. Then the Wings struck again. Ogunbowale hit a three-pointer to make it a six-point game. Hines-Allen rebounded a Samuelson miss, which Carrington was able to convert into another three-pointer, and suddenly it was a 76-73 contest with just 2:46 left on the clock.
Courtney Williams made a midrange jumper to extend the Lynx lead back to five points. Then, as the Target Center crowd yelled “De-Fence” through the rafters, Alanna Smith blocked a Carrington shot but the Lynx were unable to convert it into offense at the other end. NaLyssa Smith grabbed the rebound after a Carleton missed three-pointer, but was immediately tied up by Collier for a jump ball. The Wings won the tip.
Carrington fouled Williams, who converted both free throws to increase the Lynx lead to seven. Dallas called a reset timeout to advance the ball. Carleton stole the ball from Ogunbowale, who then fouled Hiedeman. The Lynx guard only made one of two free throws, making the score 81-73 with 1:32 left in the contest.
Hines-Allen wasn’t done. She scored a layup and was fouled by Courtney Williams. The three point play made it 81-76. Minnesota turned the ball over on a five-second violation, followed by Hines-Allen going to the line for two free throws after getting fouled by Collier. The score was 81-78 after the made free shots, causing Minnesota to call a reset timeout.
Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington and Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams battle for a rebound during Wednesday’s game at Target Center. Photo by Abe Booker III/Sportspage Magazine
Hines-Allen fouled Collier, who then made both free throws to extend the lead to five points. However, Dallas called a timeout and Ogunbowale hit a crucial three-pointer when play resumed. With 39.3 seconds remaining, the Wings were down by two points, with the score 83-81.
Courtney Williams missed a short jumper but got her own rebound and passed to Collier. Ogunbowale fouled Collier, who then made two free throws for the game’s final score. Bueckers missed a three-pointer just before time expired. Minnesota won 85-81.
Minnesota went 28-for-59 (47.5 percent) from the field; 9-for-25 (36.0 percent) from three-point range; and 20-for-27 (74.1 percent) from the free throw line. They committed 19 turnovers leading to 21 Wings points.
“We had moments that I thought we couldn’t cash in offensively,” said Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve. “There were some good things defensively, putting ourselves in position, and we just couldn’t break the ten. We were up ten and we just couldn’t stretch it. That’s something we’ve got to learn how to do.”
Dallas went 29-for-71 (40.8 percent) from the field; 12-for-33 (36.4 percent) from three-point range; and 11-for-14 (78.6 percent) from the charity stripe. They made 14 turnovers that the Lynx converted into 10 points.
“I thought in general, our response in totality and our ability to execute a game plan, we did a lot of things we set out to do,” said Wings head coach Chris Koclanes.
Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams tries to get a pass off past Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington and over to teammate Napheesa Collier who was battling Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen during Wednesday’s game at Target Center. Photo by Abe Booker III/Sportspage Magazine
Dallas had the 28-24 edge in points-in-the-paint, 13-6 advantage in second chance points, and 18-13 lead in bench scoring. Minnesota outscored Dallas 22-8 in fast break points. There were two ties and five lead changes in the game.
“We’ll get better. I thought the ball pressure was terrific. Of course we’re going to get their best effort,” said Reeve. “There were times when we handled it well. There were times when we didn’t.”
The Lynx were led by 28 points from Napheesa Collier, 13 points each from Alanna Smith and Courtney Williams, and 10 points from Natisha Hiedeman. Jessica Shepard led all rebounders with 10 boards, and Hiedeman led the Lynx with eight assists.
“I think our team is really good at staying steady. We know what we have to do. We knew we had to lock in on defense. They were getting really easy shots,” said Collier. “But we’re really good at not panicking, even when they went on their run at the end.”
The Wings were paced by 21 points from Arike Ogunbowale, 12 points from Paige Bueckers, and 11 points each from DiJonai Carrington and Myisha Hines-Allen. Bueckers led all players with 10 assists, while NyLissa Smith and Hines-Allen each pulled down seven rebounds to lead Dallas.
“I’m just being in the present moment. The only thing that I’m looking at is what the possession looks like,” said Bueckers. “Coming back home is cool and is a great experience, but what we’re trying to build and what we’re trying to do come game to game, is more important.”
Minnesota (3-0) will host the Connecticut Sun (0-2) at 6:30 p.m. at Target Center on Friday. Dallas (0-3) will travel to Atlanta (1-1) for a 2 p.m. CT matchup against the Dream on Saturday.
