Valkyries erase double-digit deficit, close preseason with win over Phoenix Mercury ...Middle East

Sunday’s game against the Phoenix Mercury had an all-too-familiar feel for the Valkyries. 

Much like Tuesday’s loss to the Los Angeles Sparks, Golden State had a sluggish first half in which they couldn’t get anything going offensively. The opposing team built a sizable lead early in the third quarter before the Valkyries stormed back to make things interesting in the fourth. And with minutes remaining, the game was going to be decided by which team could execute down the stretch. 

This time, it was the Valkyries who hit the big shots. 

Golden State erased a 15-point third-quarter deficit to beat the Mercury 84-79 on the road in its preseason finale. After shooting just 3 of 20 from the three-point line in the first half, the Valkyries made 10 3s in the final 20 minutes of play. The Valkyries ended Sunday’s game hitting 13 of their 43 3-point attempts. 

“We like to come off a little bit cold,” Golden State coach Natalie Nakase said. “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 points off the bench. Starting forward Kayla Thornton had 12 points, five rebounds and four steals. Guard Carla Leite chipped in 11 points. 

The Valkyries will open the season against the Sparks at Chase Center on Friday.

“We put some work together as a team and that has made us grow everyday,” Touré said. “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 looked to have complete control with the Valkyries starters checking out of the game for good. 

But Golden State’s bench unit, led by Leite and Touré found ways to knock down shots. 

The Valkyries responded with a 11-0 run of their own to cut the Phoenix lead to three, capped off by a Leite 3 from the wing. With 44 seconds remaining in the period, Touré knocked down a three of her own, giving Golden State its first lead since the opening minute of the first quarter. 

After an and-1 3-pointer from Leite gave the Valkyries a two-point lead minutes into the fourth quarter, the Bay Area team never trailed again and closed the game with veteran guard Julie Vanloo knocking down four consecutive free throws to ice the game. 

“I think we shared the ball and found open shots,” Leite said when asked what sparked the Valkyries’ second half comeback. 

Touré makes case for roster spot

After playing sparingly in the Valkyries’ preseason opener, Touré looked to be a long shot to make Golden State’s final roster. 

But after Sunday, the French guard made things a lot tougher for Nakase and Golden State’s front office. 

Touré, 30, flashed her three-level scoring ability in the win and was the catalyst for the Valkyries’ comeback in the second half. She shot 53.8% from the field, 44.8% from beyond the arc and had a plus-minus rating of +5. 

Golden State’s roster currently sits at 17 and will need to get cut to 12 before Friday’s season opener.

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Injury updates

Guard Kate Martin missed Sunday’s game with a hand injury. Nakase said Martin jammed her finger, but doesn’t consider the injury to be serious and kept the second-year guard out to be cautious. 

Stephanie Talbot and Cecilia Zandalasini missed their second straight game and are considered day-to-day.

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