Wings Take Final Home Game of 2016 Season 84-81

It was a battle to the end, as the Wings defeated the New York Liberty 84-81 in their final home game of their inaugural 2016 season in Dallas.

With five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the Liberty came close scoring a 3-point basket, to pull themselves within a basket. Immediately after, a foul was called on Brittany Boyd, to place Skylar Diggins at the line, to give the Wings a three-point edge to end the game.

The Wings came out strong going on a 15-4 run in the first quarter to end the period with a 17-point lead, which led Dallas to end the half 20 points ahead.

In the third, New York made a strong push against the Wings, as they made up a 14-point deficit, but Dallas maintained the lead with a score of 68-62.

Karima Christmas recorded a season high for the night scoring 23 points. The 20+ was the fourth time this season she has scored 20 or more points. Also joining Christmas in the 20-point club for the afternoon was guard Skylar Diggins. Diggins ended the night with 22 points and a season-high of seven total rebounds.

Courtney Paris registered her second straight double-double and eighth of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Paris’ totals this afternoon matched the total she ended with against New York in their first matchup on May 15. Rookie Aerial Powers ended the day strong with 15 points.

DALLAS WINGS POST GAME NOTES

•Sky High: Skylar Diggins’ layup with 14 seconds remaining was her 20th points of the night…Sky added two free throws with 4 seconds remaining to ice the game and finish with 22…Diggins has scored at least 20 points in six games this season…Diggins also grabbed an individual season-high seven rebounds including five on the defensive end.

•Quick Start: The 32 points scored by the Wings in the first quarter is the most in any quarter this season and 55 is the most in a half (first half)… Dallas’ 22 point lead in the first half is tied for the largest lead by the Wings this season… The Wings scored on 9 of their first 11 possessions today to jump out to a 19-11 lead through the first 5 minutes of the game… Dallas followed that with a 15-4 run over the final five minutes of the first quarter.

•It’s Your Birthday: Karima Christmas scored an individual season high 23 points and grabbed five rebounds…Today is her 27th birthday…It is the fourth time this season Christmas has scored 20 or more points in a game…The fourth-year forward shot 7 for 7 from the free throw line, the eighth game this season she was perfect from the stripe…Christmas is the only Wings player to start every game this season.

•Double-Double x2: With 13 points and 12 rebounds today, Courtney Paris registered her second straight double-double and eighth of the season…Paris reached the 13-point mark for the fourth time this season, one point shy of her season high of 14.

•Block Party: After setting a season high with eight blocks in San Antonio on Friday night, the Wings blocked five shots versus New York today…Odyssey Sims set a new season high and tied her career high with 2 blocks…Courtney Paris (2) had multiple blocks for the eighth time this season…Theresa Plaisance (1) registered a block for the ninth time this season

DALLAS WING

POSTGAME QUOTES

WINGS HEAD COACH FRED WILLIAMS

(On tonight’s game)

“The hardest thing in any sport is sustaining the lead. I thought the young ladies ground out after having that big lead early. I thought we rushed some thoughts at the end of the third quarter. They made some plays to get them back in it. We couldn’t really hit the broad side of a barn for about 12 minutes there in the second half. We were able to hold on. I thought Sky did a good job of making some key shots for us down the stretch. Karima did a great job of playing small forward and having to guard taller players. All around, I’m very pleased that the ladies finished. We made big shots and we finished. That’s kind of been our story for the season- making big plays down the stretch.”

(On Odyssey Sims in the fourth quarter)

“She had an impact. I thought when she made those key plays defensively, it pumped us up and got us on a run. Any player on the team can make a situation, either with a score or with a defensive effort. I thought her effort there during that stretch was key for us.”

(On the Wings first year in Dallas)

“I’ll remember the fans the most. We feel that energy. The fans here have been tremendous for us. I see fans here from Tulsa that have come down to cheer for us too. It’s great to have a house full of fans and have good energy for each game. I think our team is very resilient. They play hard, and we know we’ve had some injuries to play through. We had two All-Star players on the bench tonight in Plenette and Glory. We had a chance for the younger players to show what they can do.”

GUARD ODYSSEY SIMS 5 POINTS 2 ASSISTS

(On tonight’s game)

“It was really big. Anytime we can get a win at home, it’s exciting.”

(On her fourth quarter steal)

“I wanted to get the ball. That was my main goal, and I accomplished it. It was whatever I needed to do to get the ball back for my team.”

FORWARD KARIMA CHRISTMAS 23 POINTS 5 REBOUNDS

(On tonight’s win)

“I think this was something we’ve been building towards. Slowly but surely over the last couple of games. In San Antonio we finally got over the hump and I think that kind of propelled us in this game. It’s about being more cohesive down the stretch and helping each other. That was a great team win tonight.”

(On Odyssey Sims’ steal)

“Every play is important but down the stretch, when you can get that extra possession and get the ball out of their hands- that is something we pride ourselves in. Odyssey really worked to get down there ahead of everybody else and get that steal.”