The Dallas Wings look to take the next step toward the top of the standings and even the season series with the Chicago Sky when the teams square off for the first of a two-game set on Friday in Arlington, Texas.
The teams will also play each other on Sunday in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The Sky beat the Wings 94-88 in Chicago on May 28 in the only other matchup between the teams this season.
The Wings (15-11) head home after a 76-65 win in Seattle on Wednesday. Arike Ogunbowale recorded 27 points on the strength of five 3-pointers, while Satou Sabally added 18 points and Teaira McCowan pitched in 12 for Dallas, which has won seven of its past nine games.
Natasha Howard led the Wings with 12 rebounds and helped Dallas bounce back from a 13-point loss in Las Vegas on Sunday.
Ogunbowale became the Wings' all-time leader in 3-point field goals made (342) while McCowan's 12 points allowed her to eclipse 1,500 for her career (1,509). Sabally surpassed 1,000 for her career (1,008).
Dallas held an opponent to 67 points or less for the third time in the past seven games, a nod to the team's hard work on defense.
"We preach it, we work on it, we talk about it, but it's up to the players to get out and actually execute, and they have done that," Wings coach Latricia Trammell said. "I've been very, very pleased."
The Sky travel to Texas on the heels of a 104-85 win over hapless Phoenix on Sunday. Chicago's victory was just its second in an eight-game stretch and snapped a two-game losing streak and a five-game skid at home.
Kahleah Copper paced Chicago (10-15) with 24 points, while Marina Mabrey added 23, Robyn Parks hit a season-high 14 points and Alanna Smith scored 10.
The Sky made a season-high 39 field goals and hit on 52.7 percent of their shots from the floor, including 57.1 percent (12 of 21) from 3-point range. Chicago broached the 100-point mark in regulation for the first time this season.
"We have to challenge each other to continue to show up," Copper said after the win. "We have to challenge each other and continue to give each other confidence. We talked about what's important and how we can continue to make this push for the playoffs. It was important for us to come out, feel good and bounce back."
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