WNBA: Allisha Gray, Dream hold off Wings

Allisha Gray scored a game-high 26 points as the Atlanta Dream pulled away early in the fourth quarter to secure a 77-72 victory over the visiting Dallas Wings on Tuesday night.

Center Angel Reese, in only her second game for the Dream (2-0), recorded her second double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds, including eight offensive boards.

For Dallas (1-1), Arike Ogunbowale led the way with 20 points on 7-for-15 shooting. Paige Bueckers contributed 15 points on 5-for-12 shooting, while Jessica Shepard added 12 points and eight rebounds. Top overall draft pick Azzi Fudd missed the game due to a knee injury.

The two teams, both winners in their season openers over the weekend, battled through an intense first three quarters. The Dream trailed 59-58 entering the fourth period but took control early with Gray’s 3-pointer, giving them a lead they would not relinquish. Moments later, Gray sank another long-range shot, followed by a Jordin Canada floater that put Atlanta up 66-59 with 8:05 remaining.

Dallas managed to narrow the gap to three points twice, the last at 68-65 on a Bueckers jumper with 5:33 left. However, Canada responded with a driving layup, and the Wings never got closer than five points again. Atlanta extended its lead to as many as 10 before cruising to the finish.

Gray, a three-time All-Star, finished 9-for-20 from the field, including 4-for-9 from beyond the arc. Canada added 19 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Rhyne Howard chipped in 14 points. Atlanta’s bench contributed five points.

Dallas’ struggles from deep, hitting just 4 of 26 3-point attempts (15.4%), proved costly despite the Wings’ strong second-quarter surge when they held a nine-point advantage.

—Field Level Media/Reuters