San Francisco, CA – The Valkyries looked to start off strong with their last homestand of the year, as the Mystics came in with a slim chance of qualifying for any post season basketball, as they were 7 games under the .500 mark.
The Valkyries did not disappoint as they notched a 99-62 victory over Washington. The home team built a double digit lead in the first and never looked back. Player of the game went to star french rookie Janelle Salaun who posted a 20 point, 6 assist and 6 rebound statline. The team collected shots at a 38% rate from behind the arc, however the game was dominated from the inside. The Valkyries shot an incredible 21-27 from inside the arc, and added in another 21 points from the charity stripe. No play represented this win more than a 3rd quarter drive to the rim from star point guard Veronica Burton. She attacked the rim with reckless abandon, drawing a foul while also finishing with a finger roll.
The Mystics’ Sug Sutton was the only player on her team to finish with an efficient shooting night, as she shot 6-10 from the field for 17 points.
It was all smiles after the game for Golden State. “We just executed our gameplan,” said Janelle Salaun. The team was able to move as one cohesive unit after an extended break to regroup.
“It was kind of nice” said Head Coach Natalie Nakase, referring to the extra rest before the final homestand. The Valkyries look to finish their last homestand off strong, and make a push for a playoff spot.
The win not only boosted the Valkyries’ confidence but also tightened their grip on a potential playoff berth. With just a few games remaining, every possession, every run, and every win matters — and if this performance is any indication, the Valkyries are peaking at just the right time.
