The Golden State Valkyries returned to action after a week without a game, starting a quick road trip on Thursday by visiting the New York Liberty. A quick start was fueled by defense and timely shooting and they fended off a second quarter surge to build a lead by halftime. That lead was never challenged in the second half and it ended up being a comfortable 87-70 win. The team has a quick turnaround with another game on Friday before returning home.
The Lineup
The Valkyries made one more move before this game, bringing back Ashten Prechtel to fill the other developmental player spot, but she was not active for this game, although Miela Sowah did dress. There was no change to the starting lineup from the last game with Veronica Burton, Kaila Charles, Gabby Williams, Kayla Thornton, and Kiah Stokes opening the game again. New York was without Sabrina Ionescu still and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was not available. Satou Sabally replaced her in the starting lineup to make her team debut alongside Pauline Astier, Marine Johannes, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones.
First Quarter
New York scored first on a three-pointer, but Veronica Burton responded immediately and then Gabby Williams connected next. The Liberty scored again after both teams traded misses, but Kayla Thornton scored against her former team. They had the chance to tie the score on a free throw, but missed and Williams made another three-pointer. Laeticia Amihere entered the game early and scored quickly before the media timeout.
Kaila Charles made a three-pointer from the wing after the stoppage and then scored on a nice drive on the next possession. The Liberty stopped the run, but Burton was next in the barrage from distance to force a New York timeout. They did score on their next possession, but Janelle Salaun pushed the lead back to double-digits. Thornton was found for an open layup before the final minute, but the Liberty scored the last basket to trail 25-15.
Second Quarter
New York scored the first points of the quarter on free throws, but Tiffany Hayes scored her first basket since returning from injury after entering during the last quarter. The Liberty then went on an 8-0 run to force a Valkyries timeout. Gabby Williams ended the drought with a three-pointer and then Kaila Charles gave them some breathing room. Kayla Thornton hit a tough layup after another good Golden State defensive play, but Julie Vanloo scored next against her former team. Charles grabbed a rebound and drove the length of the floor for a layup and completed a three-point play. Vanloo made a three-pointer that was waived off because a foul happened first, but the Liberty ended up scoring still.
Williams was fouled beyond the arc with the shot clock expiring to send it to a media timeout and made two of the free throws. The Liberty found a defensive matchup that they liked for two straight baskets, but Kiah Stokes hit a corner three against her former team. New York scored the last point of the half on a free throw to leave the Valkyries leading 42-34 at the break.
Third Quarter
The Liberty opened the scoring in this quarter with a three-pointer, but Kiah Stokes answered immediately. Veronica Burton was next beyond the arc with an open look from an inbounds play and Kaila Charles made a layup after a nifty drive. Kayla Thornton rebounded her miss on the next possession and made a putback. Janelle Salaun was fouled on a three-point attempt to set up the media timeout, making all three free throws.
New York completed a three-point play on their first possession after the stoppage, but Laeticia Amihere drove from the corner for a layup to push the lead back to double-digits. Tiffany Hayes was fouled on a drive and made the free throws to extend the lead to a new high. Amihere continued to do great work on the defensive end and made a free throw after being fouled while securing a rebound. The Valkyries won a replay challenge to get the ball back after the miss, but could not score. Thornton got a three-point play on their next trip down the court though to leave the margin at 63-46 heading into the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter
New York scored the first basket of the quarter and the Valkyries missed a free throw from a defensive three-seconds violation, but Tiffany Hayes made a three-pointer on the ensuing possession. The Liberty converted a three-point play in response, but Salaun made another contested three-pointer. Veronica Burton made a layup for the first twenty-point lead. Hayes made two free throws to extend that further before the media timeout.
The Liberty made two free throws as Burton made a basket and missed the free throw after she was fouled, but Kaila Charles got fouled on the rebound and made one free throw. New York’s bench got consecutive baskets before Gabby Williams made a three-pointer as the shot clock expired and then was fouled on her next attempt. She made two of the free throws, but another Liberty score led to a Valkyries timeout. With the result decided, Salaun made a three-pointer and Golden State fouled to ensure that all available players had the chance to play. Salaun made another free throw and Kaitlyn Chen made two for the final 87-70 winning margin.
Player of the Game
This was a good team performance with a number of players chipping in at important times, but the award for this game will go to Kaila Charles with her all-around contributions. She got her chance with the Valkyries last year due to injuries and worked her way to the starting lineup, earning a regular contract during the offseason. While she began this season coming off of the bench with everyone healthy, the first wave of injuries had her taking the fifth starter spot again. Her defensive versatility fits well with the starting group and while she is rarely a main offensive option, she has consistently taken the opportunities that were available to her, including some timely baskets in this game. With the team fielding smaller lineups often, her ability to rebound has also been critical.
The Verdict
There was some question about how the Valkyries would respond to their first loss of the season with a road game against a team expected to be in championship contention. The trademark defensive intensity started right at tipoff and the early shooting helped the team build the lead. They did have to find a way to keep putting points on the board when there was a cold spell, but ended up winning comfortably. With the game being the first of a back-to-back, no player played particularly heavy minutes and there was room for as much rest as possible.
Leave a Reply