The Golden State Valkyries had the first game of a two-game road trip on Wednesday when they visited the Washington Mystics. Both teams were very much in the hunt for spots in the playoffs even though they had been on different trajectories recently. The Valkyries started the game like the team with the momentum, exploding out to a lead with shooting clinic. The Mystics did fight back, but Golden State was able to stretch the lead back out for a while before having to hold on late again for an 88-83 win.
First Quarter
Jade Melbourne scored a basket on the first possession of the game for the Mystics, but the Valkyries soon got their offense going. Cecilia Zandalasini found Temi Fagbenle for a layup and then continued her shooting from the end of the last game with a three-pointer. Janelle Salaun and Tiffany Hayes had consecutive baskets next and then Veronica Burton hit a pair of free throws to get all of the starters on the board. Golden State took a big lead in the latter half of the quarter with three-pointers on four straight possessions, with a pair from Zandalasini bookending makes from Burton and Salaun. Carla Leite came off the bench to hit two free throws and then Tiffany Hayes scored the last four points for a massive 30-12 lead.
Second Quarter
There was no slowdown early in the next quarter as Cecilia Zandalasini and Carla Leite connected beyond the arc to extend the run to 18-0 for Golden State to triple Washington’s point total. The Mystics were finally able to score, but Zandalasini hit another three-pointer. It was a quieter middle of the quarter for the Valkyries as the Mystics scored twice before it was Veronica Burton’s turn from distance. She scored again, but Washington was able to go on a 7-0 run before Tiffany Hayes hit a pair of free throws for a 46-28 lead at the break.
Third Quarter
The offense for the Valkyries did not return early in the third quarter as Washington scored the first six points. Veronica Burton finally ended the field goal drought before it could reach seven minutes with a three-pointer followed by another make from Cecilia Zandalasini. The Mystics did not stop pushing back, cutting the lead to single digits before Burton continued the impressive three-point shooting and then scored two more baskets and hit a free throw. That was the start of six straight trips down the floor with a score and then Zandalasini capped off the quarter again from long-range for the 70-52 lead.
Fourth Quarter
Kate Martin got into the act in this quarter with a three-pointer as the Valkyries looked to put away the game early. Veronica Burton continued an impressive second half with nine points in a row before any of her other teammates scored. The Mystics were able to keep cutting the deficit though, using a 9-0 run to get back in the picture. They also scored on six straight possessions before Janelle Salaun made a basket, but continued rolling with an 8-0 run. Tiffany Hayes grabbed a rebound and got a critical score as Sug Sutton hit a three-pointer to make it a one-possession game for Washington and then hit the free throws to seal the 88-83 win.
The Verdict
This was an important win for the Valkyries against a team that was also in playoff contention, but struggling recently as Washington continued to focus on their rebuild. The start was certainly fantastic for Golden State, but any hopes that they could make the margin too large to come back from and rest the starters were dashed by persistence from the Mystics, who made multiple long runs and had the chance to tie the game late. It will be a quick turnaround for the team, although not quite as short as the last trip to Chicago in another big game for momentum.
Player of the Game
There were couple of big career-highs in scoring, but this award will absolutely have to go to Veronica Burton for this game. After a nice playmaking display in the previous game, she added a big scoring outburst to that today with the team lead in both categories and a tie in rebounding. She had an excellent first half, but was absolutely spectacular in the second half, including a scoring streak in the fourth quarter as the team was searching for the offense. She has been fantastic all season long, but also shooting as well as she did from distance in this game just adds one more dimension to the offense.
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