The Las Vegas Aces forward Bell Kierstan (1) takes a shot on the Dallas Wings guard Lou Lopez Senechal (8) at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Thu Sep 19, 2024 (Las Vegas Aces photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces played their last regular season game at Michelob ULTRA Arena taking on the Dallas Wings beating them 98-84. The Las Vegas starters got the night off and got to root their bench on and this bench did a terrific job. Every time Dallas made a move, the Aces pushed right back. Megan Gustafson was the high for the Aces with 24 points.

Game recap: After the first ten minutes of play, this final season game was tied at 30. The Aces starters did not take the floor in this final game. Alysha Clark, Megan Gustafson, Sydney Colson, Tiffany Hayes and Kate Martin started this game. Kiersten Bell did a great job off the bench, in fact, everyone on the floor tonight was doing a terrific job.

After two quarters, the Aces really turned it on. They outscored the Wings 30-15 in the second quarter and led at the half 60-45. There was some amazing play from players you don’t normally see on the floor. Getting the opportunity to play an entire game was invaluable experience for them going forward.

The third quarter was a close one for a minute but it sure did not finish that way. The Aces outscored the Wings 28-23 and after three quarters had built a 20 point lead 88-68. This was their largest lead of he game. They finished the quarter on a 7-0 run. Megan Gustafson had 23 points through three quarters and Tiffany Hayes had 21 points. The Aces were having an impressive second half of basketball.

The Aces called a timeout in the early minutes of the fourth quarter. The Wings were showing some stirrings of a rally and Las Vegas wanted to put a stop to any comeback that Dallas was seeking.

Mid-way through the quarter, the Wings had almost cut the Aces lead in half trailing 90-79. Dallas went on a 11-0 run trailing by single digits 90-81. With two minutes left in the game the Aces pushed their lead back out to 98-84. That would be the final.

The high for the Aces was Megan Gustafson with 24 points. Tiffany Hayes chipped in 21 points. She has been amazing all season. Kierstan Bell had 12 points off the bench. For the Wings, Satou Sabally had the high with 25 points.

Game notes: Thursday evening the Aces played their last regular season game at home taking on the Wings. The Aces are headed for the playoffs and Dallas unfortunately will be headed home until next season, always a tough pill to swallow. The Aces finished the season in fourth place and will be starting their playoff run on Sunday taking on the Seattle Storm in game one of the series.

The 2024 WNBA playoffs get underway this Sunday at Michelob ULTRA Arena. A’Ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces will matchup with the fifth place Jewel Lloyd and the Seattle Storm. TIp-off for this game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.