Arike Ogunbowale leads Dallas Wings to victory against Atlanta Dream

In the season-opener for both clubs on Saturday in Arlington, Texas, American professional basketball player of Nigerian heritage Arike Ogunbowale scored 27 points, while Satou Sabally added 25 to help the Dallas Wings defeat the Atlanta Dream 85-78.

After taking a 21-18 lead into the second quarter and dominating the Dream 26-12, the Wings increased their lead to 47-30 at the half.

Diamond DeShields, who the Wings acquired from Phoenix in February through a four-team transaction that also included Michaela Onyenwere, an American basketball player of Nigerian heritage, was inactive.

Sabally made 7 of 13 field goals, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range, and added seven rebounds while Ogunbowale made 9 of 25 shots from the field and pulled down four rebounds. 

With 20 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and three assists, Natasha Howard contributed a double-double for the Wings.

The Wings made 27 of 74 field goals at 36.5 percent, including 9 of 30 three-point attempts at 30 percent.

Rhyne Howard and Cheyenne Parker, who each had a double-double, were Atlanta's best players.

Along with 10 rebounds, Howard finished the game with 20 points on 8 of 24 field goal attempts, including 4 of 12 from beyond the arc. Parker finished with 18 points on 7 of 14 shooting, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals.

Against the Wings, who had dealt Allisha Gray to Atlanta in January in exchange for two first-round draft selections, she added 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Dream made 29 of 82 field goal attempts at 35.4 percent, including 9 of 32 28.1% from beyond the arc.

Ogunbowale put on a stunning display and returns when the Wings face the Seattle Storm on Saturday, May 27.