By Hosea Parah
Nigeria-born basketball star, Arike Ogunbowale, delivered a record-breaking performance as the Dallas Wings defeated the Golden State Valkyries 108–100 in overtime to level their first-round WNBA playoff series.
With the Wings facing elimination after losing Game 1, Ogunbowale produced a spectacular 45-point outing to set a new WNBA single-game playoff scoring record.
The Dallas guard also recorded seven rebounds, four assists and three steals, while converting five three-pointers.
Ogunbowale came up clutch in regulation, draining a three-pointer with just 4.1 seconds remaining to tie the contest at 93–93 and force overtime.
She maintained her dominance in the extra period, scoring crucial points as Dallas pulled away to secure the eight-point victory.
Alysha Clark contributed 21 points for the Wings, while Golden State’s Gabby Williams posted a career-high 36 points despite the defeat.
The result leaves the best-of-three series tied at 1–1, with the decisive Game 3 scheduled for Friday in San Francisco. The winner will advance to the WNBA semifinals.
Ogunbowale’s 45-point explosion also comfortably surpassed her previous WNBA playoff career high of 24 points, underlining one of the most remarkable postseason performances of her career.