Sunday’s recreation towards the Phoenix Mercury had an all-too-familiar really feel for the Valkyries.
Very similar to Tuesday’s loss to the Los Angeles Sparks, Golden State had a sluggish first half wherein they couldn’t get something going offensively. The opposing staff constructed a large lead early within the third quarter earlier than the Valkyries stormed again to make issues attention-grabbing within the fourth. And with minutes remaining, the sport was going to be determined by which staff might execute down the stretch.
This time, it was the Valkyries who hit the large photographs.
Golden State erased a 15-point third-quarter deficit to beat the Mercury 84-79 on the highway in its preseason finale. After taking pictures simply 3 of 20 from the three-point line within the first half, the Valkyries made 10 3s within the last 20 minutes of play. The Valkyries ended Sunday’s recreation hitting 13 of their 43 3-point makes an attempt.
“We like to come off a little bit cold,” Golden State coach Natalie Nakase stated. “I just have to figure out how to get them a little bit more warm in the beginning, but I want them to continue to let it fly.”
Migna Touré scored 16 of her game-high 19 factors off the bench. Beginning ahead Kayla Thornton had 12 factors, 5 rebounds and 4 steals. Guard Carla Leite chipped in 11 factors.
The Valkyries will open the season towards the Sparks at Chase Heart on Friday.
“We put some work together as a team and that has made us grow everyday,” Touré stated. “I think today is an example of who we are, improving to the end and continuing to push.”
Phoenix opened the third quarter with a 8-0 run and seemingly regarded to have full management with the Valkyries starters testing of the sport for good.
However Golden State’s bench unit, led by Leite and Touré discovered methods to knock down photographs.
The Valkyries responded with a 11-0 run of their very own to chop the Phoenix result in three, capped off by a Leite 3 from the wing. With 44 seconds remaining within the interval, Touré knocked down a 3 of her personal, giving Golden State its first lead for the reason that opening minute of the primary quarter.
After an and-1 3-pointer from Leite gave the Valkyries a two-point lead minutes into the fourth quarter, the Bay Space staff by no means trailed once more and closed the sport with veteran guard Julie Vanloo flattening 4 consecutive free throws to ice the sport.
“I think we shared the ball and found open shots,” Leite stated when requested what sparked the Valkyries’ second half comeback.
Touré makes case for roster spot
After enjoying sparingly within the Valkyries’ preseason opener, Touré seemed to be a protracted shot to make Golden State’s last roster.
However after Sunday, the French guard made issues loads harder for Nakase and Golden State’s entrance workplace.
Touré, 30, flashed her three-level scoring potential within the win and was the catalyst for the Valkyries’ comeback within the second half. She shot 53.8% from the sector, 44.8% from past the arc and had a plus-minus ranking of +5.
Golden State’s roster presently sits at 17 and might want to get minimize to 12 earlier than Friday’s season opener.
Harm updates
Guard Kate Martin missed Sunday’s recreation with a hand damage. Nakase stated Martin jammed her finger, however doesn’t take into account the damage to be critical and stored the second-year guard out to be cautious.
Stephanie Talbot and Cecilia Zandalasini missed their second straight recreation and are thought of day-to-day.
