Wings bounce back with dominant win over Sun as playoff push continues

After dropping two straight games coming out of the All-Star break, the Dallas Wings returned home and rolled past the Connecticut Sun 83-63, using a dominant third quarter and balanced scoring effort to get back on track.

Why it matters: The victory lifts the Wings back into a tie for fifth place in the WNBA standings with 14 regular season games remaining, strengthening their position in an increasingly tight playoff race.

By the numbers:

• Jessica Shepard and Arike Ogunbowale each scored 15 points to lead Dallas.
• Azzi Fudd knocked down four of her five attempts from three-point range, providing a spark on both ends of the floor.
• Connecticut was led by Diamond Miller, who finished with 22 points despite the loss.

The turning point: After taking a narrow lead into halftime, the Wings seized complete control in the third quarter.

• Dallas outscored Connecticut 24-8 during the period, turning a competitive game into a comfortable double-digit advantage.

What stood out: The Wings' offense looked much more composed than it had during their previous two losses. Ogunbowale combined efficient scoring with smart decision-making, while Shepard controlled the paint and Fudd stretched the defense from beyond the arc.

What they're saying: Jessica Shepard credited the team's willingness to play together and adjust to Connecticut's defensive approach.

• “Our intensity in the third quarter — we wanted to create separation, and that’s what we did,” Shepard said. “Obviously, the defensive end was a big part of that, and then just being able to get out and run.”

Up next: The Dallas Wings are 19-11 on the season and will return to the court on Wednesday when they face the Washington Mystics with tip-off set for 6:30 p.m. C.T.