Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale set a new WNBA All-Star game record of 34 points, leading Team WNBA to a 117-109 victory over Team USA on Saturday in Phoenix. All Ogunbowale’s points came in the second half, with 21 in the third quarter, helping Team WNBA overturn a two-point halftime deficit. Her performance earned her a second All-Star MVP award in front of 16,407 fans at Footprint Center.
Arike Ogunbowale makes WNBA All-Star Game history in win over Team USA; Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese shine. *** @usabasketball @WNBA I think the Olympic Team selection committee needs to rethink who’s on the team! https://t.co/507vZw8Spm
— ALR229712812 (@ALR229712812) July 21, 2024
“Coach (Cheryl Miller) actually called me out at halftime in front of everybody and was like, just take a deep breath and play your game,” the 27-year-old said after the game. “I guess you guys saw what happened.”
Ogunbowale is now the fourth player in league history with multiple All-Star game trophies. Meanwhile, rookies Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark had historic games in their All-Star debuts. Reese became the first rookie to record a double-double in an All-Star game, finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Clark had four points and set a rookie All-Star game record with 10 assists, one short of Sue Bird’s overall record in an All-Star game.
“It was a lot of fun, we came in here and we competed hard,” Clark told reporters. “We knew they were going to want to win so we came out with the same mindset … We started the third quarter really strong and that’s what set the tone.”
Clark was left off the Olympic roster, a decision initially met with some shock, but she remains supportive of Team USA. “There’s plenty of talent on that team,” she said. “I’m going to be supporting them and cheering them on. I love the Olympics … they’re going to win gold and dominate.”
Arike Ogunbowale turned in another MVP performance, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese teamed up, and the WNBA all-stars impressed in a 117-109 victory. https://t.co/FbfszOsdIh
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) July 21, 2024
Six-time All-Star and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart led Team USA with 31 points and 10 rebounds, while six-time All-Star and Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson added 22 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
The US will next play Germany in a London exhibition game on Tuesday before heading to France for the Summer Olympic Games, where the team is seeking an eighth consecutive gold medal. The WNBA resumes regular season action after the Olympics on August 15.
Key Points:
- Arike Ogunbowale set a WNBA All-Star game record with 34 points, leading Team WNBA to a 117-109 win over Team USA.
- Ogunbowale scored all her points in the second half, earning her second All-Star MVP award.
- Rookies Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark had historic games, with Reese recording a double-double and Clark setting a rookie assist record.
- Breanna Stewart led Team USA with 31 points, while A’ja Wilson added 22 points.
- Team USA will play an exhibition game against Germany before heading to the Summer Olympic Games in France.
Conner T – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
