The Las Vegas Aces came to Dallas looking for proof that the first meeting had taught them something.
Instead, the Wings gave them the same problem again.
Dallas never trailed and beat Las Vegas 96-66 on Monday at College Park Center, snapping the Aces’ six-game winning streak. Las Vegas fell to 10-4, while Dallas improved to 9-5 and took a 2-0 lead in the season series.
The 66 points tied the Aces’ lowest scoring output of the season.
No hidden turn
There was no late twist and no real Las Vegas push.
Dallas led 29-20 after the first quarter, stretched it to 56-37 by halftime and kept the Aces stuck in chase mode the rest of the night. The Wings led by as many as 30 and controlled 97 percent of the game.
Before tipoff, Becky Hammon said the Aces needed to clean up the defensive lapses that cost them in the first Dallas meeting. However, the rematch showed the same issues. Dallas shot 49 percent, made 10 3-pointers and turned 14 Las Vegas turnovers into 18 points.
Shepard’s fingerprints
Jessica Shepard did not need another triple-double to control the game.
She finished with 15 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, again giving Dallas the connector Hammon warned about before the game. Arike Ogunbowale added 22 points and seven assists, while Azzi Fudd scored 19 on 8-for-9 shooting.
Paige Bueckers also gave Dallas clean control with 10 points, seven assists and no turnovers. As a result, the Wings’ offense stayed organized while the Aces searched for rhythm.
No clean rhythm
Jewell Loyd led Las Vegas with 21 points and hit five 3-pointers, but the Aces did not get enough around her.
A’ja Wilson scored 18 points on 8-for-15 shooting, but Dallas kept Las Vegas from building through her late. Chelsea Gray had nine assists, but she went scoreless and committed four turnovers. Jackie Young finished with six points on 3-for-13 shooting.
The Aces had 24 assists, but the ball movement did not create enough clean offense. They shot 40 percent from the field and 5-for-21 from three.
Back to Phoenix
Las Vegas will try to get back to its winning ways Wednesday against the Phoenix Mercury at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Pacific on USA Network.
Up next
The Aces will look to get back to their winning ways on Wednesday, June 17, when they visit the Phoenix Mercury at Mortgage Matchup Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Pacific on USA Network.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
