The Golden State Valkyries continued their homestand on Thursday with a game against the Indiana Fever. After the two teams met last week, this was a highly-anticipated affair and the home crowd brought the intensity early. The Valkyries built up a first half lead, but the visitors found opportunities on offense, tying the game at halftime and then taking the lead in the second half. Golden State found a way to make key plays on offense and defense down the stretch, hanging on to the 90-88 win with the fans getting extra loud during the big moments.
The Lineup
Both teams had their full regular rosters available for this game and the Valkyries opted to also set Ashten Prechtel as active again. There was no change to the starting lineup as eleven players saw time in the rotation after Juste Jocyte played in the second half. Monique Billings started for the Fever having received a video tribute before the game for her time with Golden State last year. Bree Hall was ruled out before the game and had no chance to also play against her former team.
First Quarter
Monique Billings opened the scoring against her previous team, but Veronica Burton quickly got the Valkyries on the board with a pair of free throws and a three-point play. Indiana tied the score after Golden State fouled on a three-point attempt, but Kaila Charles scored the next two baskets. The Fever responded again, but Kiah Stokes found space in the post and Burton made the first three-pointer to build up the margin early.
Indiana’s bench got them back in the game as the media timeout approached, but the Golden State bench got in the act when Kaitlyn Chen just got a long two-point shot to fall as the shot clock expired. After the lead was trimmed to a single basket again, Janelle Salaun made a three-pointer and drove for a layup for a 21-14 lead.
Second Quarter
The Fever made a three-pointer on the first possession of the quarter, but Janelle Salaun quickly responded. Gabby Williams made consecutive layups to extend the lead to double-digits for the first time. The Valkyries fouled Caitlin Clark again on a three-point attempt, but Kaila Charles responded being the arc and a turnover prompted an early Indiana timeout.
The stoppage helped the visitors as they immediately hit two three-pointers, which led to the Valkyries taking a timeout. Cecilia Zandalasini returned at that point and made her first basket, but Indiana responded after getting an easy opportunity after a tough turnover. Gabby Williams scored four consecutive points only to see the Fever match them. Cecilia Zandalasini extended the lead with a three-pointer as the Indiana bench scored the next three baskets. Veronica Burton was fouled before the ball was inbounded to earn a free throw, but the Valkyries let the Fever tie the score and take the lead with three Burton free throws leaving a 44-44 tie.
Third Quarter
Indiana’s momentum continued in this half after they opened the scoring, but Veronica Burton tied the game again. Monique Billings made a pair of free throws with Gabby Williams responding this time. A Fever three-pointer was answered by a Burton three-point play and then another one was matched by Cecilia Zandalasini. After not seeing any time in the first half, Juste Jocyte was brought in to try and shift the momentum and she made her first shot, another three-pointer, before the media timeout.
The Valkyries missed a couple of chances to extend the lead as Indiana scored, but Laeticia Amihere did score her first basket. A key call came from a replay challenge when the charge that she drew became a blocking foul that gave Indiana the free throws to take the lead again. She was fouled after a rebound, tying the game with her own free throw, but the Fever went on a quick 7-0 run. Janelle Salaun made sure that Golden State only trailed 67-65 at the end of the quarter with a layup and three-pointer in the final minute.
Fourth Quarter
Veronica Burton tied the score again when she scored on the first possession, but Indiana quickly responded. Gabby Williams tied the score and then Burton made consecutive layups around a great defensive stand and Williams made two free throws to build up a lead. The Fever pushed back again with a pair of three-pointers sandwiching another shot by Williams. She made it a two-possession game again with another pair of free throws, but Indiana answered. Kiah Stokes scored on a nifty feed from Juste Jocyte only for two Fever baskets to give them the lead again.
The Valkyries were able to keep their lead with free throws as Burton made hers first and then Janelle Salaun made two after securing a rebound from a miss at the line. She ended the field goal drought too as the Fever had consecutive turnovers while trying to tie the score and then ran out in transition to score again. Golden State was not able to keep Indiana off of the free throw line and then an offensive foul was called on Burton and upheld via challenge after she tried to get open for the subsequent inbounds pass. The Valkyries made sure that the Fever did not get an open look from beyond the arc, surrendering a layup instead. Williams only made one free throw for the 90-88 lead after being fouled to extend the game, leaving Indiana with a chance to tie or take the lead with the last possession. The defense held though and two final attempts missed even though the Fever got a favorable opportunity after securing the tip from a jumpball.
Player of the Game
There were multiple strong performances that enabled the Valkyries to get the win, but this award has to go to Veronica Burton for her contributions on both ends of the court. As the point guard, she has often made sure that her teammates were being set up to succeed on offense, but this was a game where she was taking on a bigger scoring role. Golden State had a clear plan when it came to attacking the defense and she was a big part of the matchup-hunting. On the defensive end, her playmaking was elite as her five blocks would be incredible for any player, but was absolutely spectacular for a guard.
The Verdict
After the expected win on Monday, this game was a big measuring stick opportunity against another team holding strong postseason aspirations with both teams having just met without the full lineups available this time. The Valkyries had some great moments and at other times had slipups as the Fever had stretches where they really found their rhythm. Golden State made just enough key plays to take the lead back and hang on at the end. Even though the team will continue to use their depth, there was a lot to learn about which players might get the extended opportunities during close games. The homestand does not get any easier after the win as the defending champions visit next.
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