Team WNBA takes down Team USA at All-Star Game
Arike Ogunbowale set a WNBA All-Star Game record with 34 points as she led Team WNBA past the U.S. women's Olympic basketball squad Saturday, 117-109.
Ogunbowale was named All-Star Game MVP for her performance, shooting 8-of-13 from three and scoring all her points in the second half - 21 in the third quarter alone. The 27-year-old Dallas Wings guard drained back-to-back jumpers from distance with just over four minutes to play to effectively put away the U.S. for good, extending Team WNBA's lead to a game-high 20.
The result is Ogunbowale's second All-Star Game MVP. She also won the award in 2021 in another victory for the WNBA as Team USA prepared for the Tokyo Games. That year's national side still went a perfect 6-0 to stand on top of the Olympic podium, and the 2024 American squad is widely expected to win an eighth straight gold medal later this summer.
Star rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese left their mark on the contest. The 2024 first overall pick finished with just four points and missed all seven of her attempts from deep but still dished out 10 assists, an All-Star Game record for a rookie. Reese came off the bench and secured a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Breanna Stewart led the Olympians with 31 points and added 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and a block.