Football season has just begun but the New York Liberty already secured a sweep of Dallas.
Paced by a brilliant first quarter for Sabrina Ionescu, the Liberty completed a season sweep of the Dallas Wings with a 99-67 victory in Arlington. Between 16 points of her own and dishing off assists to Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and Courtney Vandersloot, Ionescu played a direct role in 21 of the Liberty’s 25 scoring entries in the opening period.
With the win, the Liberty (31-6) reduced their official magic number to clinch homecourt advantage throughout the upcoming WNBA Playoffs to one. They can officially clinch the top seed on the bracket with another win or if the second place Minnesota Lynx lose to Chicago on Friday. The two teams are slated to battle on Sunday afternoon at Barclays Center (3 p.m. ET, WWOR).
The Liberty avoided any semblance of a trap game thanks to Ionescu’s early outburst: they led by 10 at the end of the first period and, save for a couple of brief couple of cutdowns to eight at the onset of the second, they kept the double-figure advantage throughout the evening, making it permanent when Vandersloot successfully converted an and-one opportunity at 7:22.
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With her early tally, which ended up at a team-best 20, Ionescu got several landmarks out of the way quickly: she passed Crystal Robinson to become the fifth-leading scorer in franchise history. Her first of four three-pointers, sunk just 22 seconds into the game to open scoring, also gave her 60 games with at least one, just six short of the WNBA record set by Ivory Latta.
The only other Dallas threat came in the third quarter, when a series of quick tallies in transition cut the lead to 14 early in the third. A quick timeout from head coach Sandy Brondello, however, quickly restored seafoam sanity, One 17-9 run later more or less broke Dallas’ will and allowed the Liberty to empty its bench and expand its largest leads of the evening.
One of the Liberty’s points of emphasis was containing North Texas’ leading scorer in Arike Ogunbowale. New York contained the reigning WNBA All-Star Game MVP to 11 points on 3-of-13 from the field and shutting down the thought of a comeback. Despite the struggles, Ogunbowale did leave College Park Center with a little bit of history.
With her 11, Ogunbowale passed Deanna Nolan to become the leading scorer in Wings franchise history, which began under the branding of the Detroit Shock in 1998. Ogunbowale was the Wings’ leading scorer on Thursday alongside reserve Maddy Siegrist. Already eliminated from playoff contention, Dallas (9-28) shot only 37 percent from the field, including 4-of-18 from three-point range. Half of that tally, which was earned by Ionescu alone, was sunk by Sevgi Uzun.
Equally inspiring on the Liberty ledgers was a 17-point outing from Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, once again back in the starting five after leaving Sunday’s win in Las Vegas early with a knee injury. Vandersloot (5-of-7) and Breanna Stewart each had 11 while Jonquel Jones paired eight with seven rebounds. The game’s one-sided nature saw all but one New Yorker get on the scoresheet, as the seafoam reserves put up 32 points.
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard to increase protection at key state sites following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran.
Abbott issued a statement Saturday supporting the military action, writing “Texas stands with President Trump in sending a clear message to Iran: its aggression toward American and the West will no longer be tolerated.”
The governor said he directed DPS and the Texas National Guard to ramp up surveillance and patrols at energy facilities, ports and southern border.
“Texas is working closely with our federal partners to protect Texans and our critical assets from potential threats of retaliation,” Abbott said.
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In a post on X, the Texas National Guard announced its activation of service members.
The Texas Military Department is activating Service Members for Operation Fury Shield — to work alongside our state partners to protect our citizens and critical infrastructure, including energy facilities, ports, cyber security and southern border – #AlwaysReady.
Iran has retaliated by firing attacks toward Israel and U.S. military bases in the Middle East.
Across the U.S., law enforcement has stepped up patrols at sensitive areas, including houses of worship and diplomatic sites.
Security expert Eric Jackson, who retired as Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas FBI field office, said law enforcement would be analyzing intelligence closely for potential threats at home.
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“These types of matters bring out the best in the [FBI],” said Jackson. “Everybody’s working hard and everybody’s focused on protecting the homeland.”
The Dallas Cowboys may not have met formally with Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. at the NFL Combine, but their interest in the Longhorns’ defender is still worth watching.
Earlier this week, it was revealed by Dallas Cowboys’ beat writer Clarence Hill Jr. that Dallas has intentions to schedule a private dinner with Hill Jr. ahead of Texas’ pro day.
Currently, the Texas linebacker is rated the No. 5 linebacker and the No. 34 prospect in this year’s draft class.
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Texas LB Anthony Hills Jr did not have a formal meeting with the Cowboys at the combine but a private dinner is planned before the Texas pro day, per source
The Cowboys have made it abundantly clear that they are keeping their eyes on the elite prospects coming from the state of Texas.
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Not only did the organization meet with Longhorns’ linebacker Trey Moore earlier this week, but it has also spent time with multiple Texas A&M prospects during the pre-draft process.
Why Anthony Hill Jr. Makes Sense for Dallas
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. celebrates during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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Hill Jr. makes plenty of sense for Dallas because of the kind of speed, range, and physicality he brings to the second level of a defense. Across three years at Texas, the linebacker totaled just under 250 tackles, 31.5 tackles for a loss, and 17.0 sacks. He also forced eight fumbles, deflected seven passes, and caught three interceptions during his time in Austin as well.
With that kind of résumé at the collegiate level, it’s no wonder why the Cowboys have shown great interest in Hill Jr. While they may not have formally met with him before the NFL Combine, the organization’s willingness to schedule a dinner the Texas linebacker says plenty about the level of respect it has for his game.
There are many mock drafts that have Hill Jr. going in the first round of this year’s draft. He’s projected an early second-round pick, but his versatility and well-rounded physical traits set him apart from most defensive prospects.
He also set himself apart from the other linebackers in this draft cycle by running a 4.51-second 40-time at the NFL Combine earlier this week. Ohio State’s Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles both ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, while TCU’s Kaleb Elarms-Orr recorded an impressive time of 4.47 seconds.
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The private dinner gives the Cowboys a chance to learn more about Hill Jr. away from the football field. While the Texas linebacker has the tangibles to be an instant playmaker for any NFL franchise, it seems that Dallas is looking to learn more about his personality before the Texas Longhorns’ pro day.
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Last year, Texas’ Pro Day took place on March 25, giving NFL teams one final chance to watch the Longhorns’ draft prospects go through drills and interviews in Austin.
1 Plano No. 5 fire station paramedics — I thank God for the paramedics at Plano No. 5 fire station. On Sunday after services, my wife of 46 years had a severe heart attack. The 911 call brought six great men who quickly got my wife to the excellent Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital and saved her life.
I am so grateful to not only live here in Plano, but that the Lord is not done with Donna yet.
Anton Skell, Plano
2 Dallas Park and Recreation teams — On behalf of all the bikers, joggers and walkers along the White Rock Creek trail, a special thanks to the Dallas Park and Recreation teams that clean all the goo and muck off the trail after a heavy rain.
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This is particularly an issue at the White Rock Creek and Cottonwood Creek low water crossing as mud several inches thick accumulates along about a foot-long swath of the trial, making it incredibly slippery and unsafe.
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However, like clockwork, we can count on a team from Park and Rec with their front-end loader, shovels and squeegees to clear the path within 24 hours or so. Appreciate all the work!
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Ron Carey, North Dallas
3 DMN voting recommendations — Thank you for the time and energy that you spend vetting the candidates and making your recommendations. I take your thoughts seriously and am grateful for the information you provide.
I hope you continue to provide this valuable service. It’s needed and appreciated.
Alice Gant Coder, Dallas
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