ARLINGTON, Texas — Azzi Fudd scored 22 points in her first WNBA start, and Jessica Shepard delivered her second triple-double of the season as the Dallas Wings defeated the Las Vegas Aces 95-87 on Thursday night.
Shepard posted 22 points, a career-high 20 rebounds and 10 assists. It was her second triple-double this season, following an 18-point, 10-rebound, 12-assist performance in a May 20 win over Chicago.
Dallas trailed late in the third quarter before Shepard sparked the comeback, scoring 11 points in the period and tying the game at 72 with a lane shot near the buzzer. She then opened the fourth quarter with a basket that gave the Wings their first lead since 17-16. Shepard later sealed the triple-double by assisting Awak Kuier on a 3-pointer with 2:57 left, helping Dallas extend its lead to 90-81. Paige Bueckers followed with a 3-pointer to push the advantage to 12 points.
Bueckers finished with 20 points and six assists for Dallas, which improved to 5-3 after losing five straight games to the Aces last season. Kuier added 12 points. Arike Ogunbowale played only 18 minutes because of illness.
Fudd, the No. 1 pick in the April draft, followed up a 24-point outing off the bench against New York with another strong performance, giving Dallas a major scoring boost in her first WNBA start.
For Las Vegas, A’ja Wilson led the way with 21 points. Jackie Young scored 15, while Chennedy Carter added 14 points, 12 of them in the first half. NaLyssa Smith contributed nine points and 12 rebounds.
The Aces, now 4-3, have dropped two straight games and were outscored 50-34 in the second half. They continue their three-game road trip Sunday at Golden State.
Dallas will host Seattle on Monday.
