Valkyries keep defending champion Liberty in check, extend win streak to four

SAN FRANCISCO The Valkyries looked as connected as they have all year on Tuesday night Playing the star-studded New York Liberty Golden State made all the right plays hit all the necessary shots and kept the visiting squad s high-powered offense in check The development The expansion gang played perhaps its best event of the season defeating the defending champion Liberty - in front of its th consecutive sellout crowd of the season I think when we re communicating and we re executing the competition plan I think like I announced we re pretty dangerous Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase commented Credit to our players for believing trusting and executing Temi F gb nl led the Valkyries with points and five rebounds Janelle Salaun had points Kate Martin came off the bench and scored points Monique Billings made her return to the lineup after missing the last games with a right ankle sprain She played minutes scored five points and grabbed three rebounds Guard Natasha Cloud was a bright spot for the Liberty leading New York with points Walnut Creek native Sabrina Ionescu missed Friday s event with a toe injury The Valkyries held the Liberty to shooting and didn t allow the Liberty to get to the line consistently in the first half holding the visiting club to two free throw attempts Breanna Stewart saw only four of her shots go through the basket but got preponderance of her points at the free throw line We stayed very connected throughout the whole challenge through the ups and downs through the runs That s the main thing F gb nl stated Communicating throughout the whole event really helped us and sticking with the schemes With the win the Valkyries now have a one-game lead over the Indiana Fever for the sixth seed A Los Angeles Sparks loss against the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday and a Valkyries win over the Dallas Wings on Thursday would clinch a playoff spot for Golden State The Valkyries are also a challenge and a half behind the Liberty for the fifth seed Golden State fell behind by four points after the first quarter but an offensive explosion in the second period gave the Valkyries a at ease halftime lead Martin scored all of her points in the second quarter hitting -of- of her -point attempts to lead the Valkyries in the first half The Valkyries held the Liberty to shooting through the first two quarters and led - going into the intermission New York s eight second-quarter points is tied for the fewest points a Valkyries opponent has scored all season Golden State ballooned its lead to early in the third period but the Liberty finished the quarter strong by forcing seven Valkyries turnovers The home gang went into the final minutes of play with a -point lead But much like they have done during this home stand the Valkyries didn t let up in the fourth quarter Golden State s inside-out attack paced its offense against a more athletic Liberty defense On the other end the Valkyries got timely stops and didn t allow New York s trio of post players consisting of Stewart Emma Meesseman and last year s Finals MVP Jonquel Jones to get going During this home stand the Valkyries have beaten teams by average of points The Valkyries will play their final two home games on Thursday and Saturday starting with a matchup with the Dallas Wings followed by the regular season finale against the Minnesota Lynx two days later