The Golden State Valkyries had their home opener on Sunday when they welcomed the Phoenix Mercury. It was a tough start against a strong opponent, but they did build a substantial lead going into halftime. The visitors made a push in the second half, but the Valkyries withstood those charges and then pulled away at the end for a 95-79 win.
The Lineup
Kaila Charles filled in for Tiffany Hayes in the starting lineup, joining Veronica Burton, Gabby Williams, Kayla Thornton, and Kiah Stokes. Phoenix had the same starting lineup that enjoyed success the previous day. With injuries and absences, the Valkyries only had ten players available, but shortened that rotation further in a competitive game.
First Quarter
Phoenix opened the scoring with a 7-0 run before Kiah Stokes made a free throw. Veronica Burton got a steal on the next possession and made two free throws too. Kaila Charles made the first field goal with a three-pointer from the wing, but the Mercury continued to find success on offense. The Valkyries kept struggling to respond, but they got some stops on defense to avoid falling too far behind.
Phoenix hit two free throws after the media timeout, but the Valkyries turned to their bench and Janelle Salaun made a three-pointer. Laeticia Amihere had also entered the game at the stoppage and scored the next basket. Kaila Charles answered a basket from former Valkyrie Kyara Linskens. Kaitlyn Chen entered the game and scored followed by a basket from Veronica Burton, which left Golden State trailing 20-17 at the end of the quarter.
Second Quarter
Laeticia Amihere opened the scoring in this quarter and completed a three-point play to tie the score, but Phoenix responded immediately. Janelle Salaun scored and then Gabby Williams gave the Valkyries their first lead with a three-pointer. The Mercury got a free throw after being fouled before the ball was inbounded, but Williams scored again and Kayla Thornton hit a three-pointer to force a timeout.
Golden State’s defense did not slow down during the stoppage as Kayla Thornton scored on the fast break after a steal. Laeticia Amihere scored next and then Thornton pushed the lead to double digits for the first time. Janelle Salaun’s steal and score forced another timeout. Phoenix did reply on their next possession, but Gabby Williams made a three-pointer in response and then Thornton added to the tally from distance. Williams found Thornton in transition as the Valkyries tried to push the lead to twenty points. The Mercury made three throws around a Thornton layup to trail 48-31 at halftime.
Third Quarter
Phoenix scored the first eight points of the half to force a quick Valkyries timeout. Golden State broke the drought quickly with a Kayla Thornton three-pointer. The Valkyries hit another cold spell, but the bench unit came back and Janelle Salaun made a three-pointer. Veronica Burton answered a Phoenix make from beyond the arc and then Gabby Williams helped Golden State maintain their lead. The Mercury kept pushing, but a Williams three-point play kept the margin the same. Burton’s floater was next and then Phoenix called a timeout after Kahleah Copper went to the floor securing a rebound. Two Burton free throws between Phoenix points meant a 66-62 lead heading into the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Kayla Thornton scored the first basket of the quarter, but the Mercury made it a one-possession game before Janelle Salaun answered. Veronica Burton made two free throws, but a Valkyries foul on a Phoenix three-pointer gave them an extra free throw. The Mercury cut the lead further as Golden State could not get the close call on a foul in their favor. Salaun hit a tough three-pointer and then she found Laeticia Amihere for an open layup. Three Salaun free throws restored the double-digit lead and then she scored again in the paint to force a timeout.
Phoenix made a three-pointer after the stoppage to end the run, but lost a replay challenge. They trailed by single-digits again after a free throw, but Gabby Williams hit a big three-pointer to respond. Laeticia Amihere followed up a big block with a three-point play and made her way to the free throw line again for another point. Williams had a steal and then made a three-pointer and then Kaila Charles followed another steal with two free throws for the final margin of 95-79.
Player of the Game
There were a number of standout performances in this win as the shortened rotation meant that everyone needed to contribute. This award will go to Laeticia Amihere for this game after her excellent performance on both ends of the court. The Valkyries suddenly had to change their plans at the start of the season with a different center rotation than expected. Amihere stepped up into that spot for this game and got some key blocks to anchor the interior defense. She had great finishes in the paint and also was second on the team with five assists.
The Verdict
The Valkyries knew that this would be a tough game against a team expected to be a championship contender again. They were not quite dialed in at the start again, a problem in their first game too, but the second quarter showed what the team was capable of when they were firing on all cylinders. Phoenix was always going give it their best shot in the second half, but Golden State held their nerve when the game got close again and made key plays when it mattered most to secure the win. With the next game at home as well, the team can continue their strong start.
Leave a Reply