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Takeaways: Skylar Diggins-Smith propels the Wings past the Liberty in Westchester

By Erica Ayala

WHITE PLAINS, NY- JULY 8: Skylar Diggins-Smith #4 of the Dallas Wings leads huddle during the game against the New York Liberty on July 8, 2018 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jon Lopez/NBAE via Getty Images)
WHITE PLAINS, NY- JULY 8: Skylar Diggins-Smith #4 of the Dallas Wings leads huddle during the game against the New York Liberty on July 8, 2018 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jon Lopez/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WHITE PLAINS– The Dallas Wings (9-8) rolled into the Westchester County Center to take on the New York Liberty (5-13). Despite recent signs of improvement from the Liberty, New York could not snap what is now a three-game losing streak, falling 97-87.

On the Wings of Diggins-Smith

Dallas starting guard Skylar Diggins-Smith led all scorers with 32 points and was just one three-pointer away from her career high (35 points against Indiana on June 8, 2018). The six-year veteran shot at a 60 percent clip from deep and nearly 70 percent (9-of-13) from the field.

“[Skylar] gets fired up to play in New York,” Wings head coach Fred Williams said. “She is a well-balanced player both inside and out. She is special.”

Not-so-sweet from the candy stripe

Early in the game, the Liberty looked to relentlessly attack the basket against the Wings. At times, the fast-paced, physical game of past New York teams shined through. However, the aggressive play didn’t last.  Not only did the Liberty trail in free throw attempts (32-28), but New York struggled mightily to make the shots from the line.

“I thought today was big. I thought we were more aggressive,” head coach Katie Smith said in response to a question by High Post Hoops. “We don’t get to the free throw line as much as some folks.”

The Wings sit atop the league with 23.5 percent of their points coming from the line, while the Liberty are 10th at 16.3 percent.

“For us, it was a big number today – we’ve got to knock some of them down,” Smith said. She added that getting to the line, combined with other fundamental things like offensive rebounds and extra possessions will be key to a turnaround.

“Throw them bows”

Things got physical early on in this game, including a tiff between Amanda Zahui B. and Liz Cambage. Both the Wings and the Liberty are liberal with their frustrations, so tempers flaring is not altogether shocking. The Liberty were assessed two individual technical fouls after being booked three times on Tuesday against the Seattle Storm.

“It’s pretty normal for both of them, actually, to get involved with stuff like that,” Smith after the game. “You know what you’re getting into when you play Dallas and certain players. At the end of the day, you have to find a way to manage that and continue to do your thing.”

Both Cambage and Zahui B. did just that.  The Australian center Cambage tallied 19 points and 12 rebounds in the Dallas win. Zahui B. dropped 12 points from the bench, joining Tina Charles (26) and Epiphany Prince (11) in double-digits for New York.

The Liberty are 1-3 in July and the Dallas Wings improved to 3-1 to start the month. The Wings host Phoenix (14-6) Tuesday night and New York travels to face the Connecticut Sun (10-9) on July 11.

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