Cardoso, Vandersloot lead Sky past Wings in tight finish

Key Takeaways:

• Courtney Vandersloot set franchise records for points and field goals, surpassing her wife, Allie Quigley.
• Kamilla Cardoso scored a career-high 23 points, leading the Chicago Sky’s offense.
• Arike Ogunbowale’s season-high 37 points weren’t enough to clinch a win for the Dallas Wings.
• The Sky closed the game with a decisive 6-0 run in the final minutes.
• Angel Reese contributed crucial plays, including the go-ahead basket, along with nine rebounds and five assists.

A Record-Breaking Night for Vandersloot

Courtney Vandersloot made history Thursday night, setting franchise records for points and field goals as the Chicago Sky secured a 97-92 victory over the Dallas Wings. Vandersloot finished with 13 points, nine assists, and four steals. With 3,728 points and 1,394 field goals, she moved past her wife, Allie Quigley, who previously held the records with 3,273 points and 1,386 field goals during her tenure with the Sky from 2013 to 2022.

Kamilla Cardoso’s Career High Leads the Way

Kamilla Cardoso was a dominant force on the court, scoring a career-high 23 points. In the first half alone, she tallied 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting and grabbed three of Chicago’s 11 offensive rebounds, helping the Sky build a 49-43 lead at halftime. Cardoso’s performance was instrumental in maintaining the team’s momentum throughout the game.

Ogunbowale’s Stellar Performance Falls Short

Despite Arike Ogunbowale’s season-high 37 points, the Wings fell just short of victory. Ogunbowale, who entered the game averaging a career-low 13.8 points on 30% shooting, found her stride by shooting 14 of 25 from the field and 6 of 12 from three-point range. She gave Dallas a 92-91 lead with a crucial three-pointer at 2:11 remaining, but went 0 for 3 in the final moments as the Sky surged ahead.

Decisive Final Moments

The game’s intensity peaked in the closing minutes. Angel Reese scored inside to give the Sky the lead for good at 93-92 with 1:21 remaining. Reese contributed six points, nine rebounds, and five assists, playing a pivotal role on both ends of the floor. The Sky concluded the game with a 6-0 run, demonstrating resilience and teamwork to clinch their first win of the season.

Surpassing a Legacy

Vandersloot’s milestone was a significant personal and professional achievement. She tied Quigley’s field goal record with a three-pointer midway through the second quarter and broke the scoring mark with a pull-up jumper in the third. “It’s an honor to surpass someone who has meant so much to this franchise,” Vandersloot might reflect, acknowledging the shared history and friendly competition with Quigley.

Looking Ahead

Chicago (1-4) will aim to build on this victory as the season progresses. The Dallas Wings (1-5), who snapped a four-game losing streak earlier in the week with a 109-87 win over Connecticut, will look to regroup after this narrow loss. Both teams showcased potential, and performances like these hint at an exciting season ahead.