Shepard's Historic Triple-Double
Dallas Wings Secure 101-97 Victory Over Portland Fire; Jessica Shepard Achieves Triple-Double
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Jessica Shepard delivered a dominant triple-double to lift the Dallas Wings past the Portland Fire 101-97 on Friday. Shepard finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, anchoring a Wings squad that had to hold on late after building a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter, according to Yahoo Sports.
The win gave Dallas a needed bounce-back after a tough 99-98 loss to the Liberty earlier in the week. Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers each added 24 points for the Wings, per WWLTV.
Shepard's Triple-Double Carries Dallas Wire to Wire
Shepard's performance stood out as the clear story of the night. Her 15 rebounds led all players. Her 10 assists made her a hub for the entire Dallas offense. It was a complete, all-around effort that kept Portland from finding a rhythm when it mattered most, according to Winnipeg Free Press.
Ogunbowale and Bueckers gave Dallas a lethal one-two scoring punch. Both finished with 24 points each. That kind of firepower made it hard for Portland to keep pace, even when the Fire mounted their late charge, per KDH News.
Portland Rallies Late But Can't Close the Gap
The Fire did not go quietly. Portland cut into what had been a 12-point Dallas lead in the fourth quarter, getting the deficit down to just four points at 101-97. Megan DiLeo led the comeback push with 21 points for Portland, per Idaho State Journal.
Still, it was not enough. Dallas made the key plays down the stretch to preserve the win. The Wings never let Portland get closer than four points in the final minutes, per Yahoo Sports Canada.
Sarah Ashlee Barker Exits Early With Knee Injury
Portland's night got worse early. Guard Sarah Ashlee Barker hurt her knee in the first quarter and did not return to the game. Her absence left the Fire shorthanded for most of the contest, according to Yakima Herald.
Barker's injury could have bigger implications for Portland going forward. The Fire will need to monitor her status heading into their next game. The team has not yet released details on the severity of the injury, per WNEP.
Wings Rebound After Heartbreaking Loss to Liberty
Dallas came into Friday's game with something to prove. The Wings had dropped a gut-punch 99-98 loss to the Liberty just days earlier. That one-point defeat stung, making a strong response against Portland all the more important, according to Lufkin Daily News.
Friday's 101-97 win showed Dallas can bounce back quickly. Shepard's triple-double and the 24-point nights from Ogunbowale and Bueckers are a sign the Wings have the depth to compete. Dallas will look to build on this momentum in their next contest.
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