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

The Golden State Valkyries preseason championship against the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday had an all-too-familiar feel Much like Tuesday s loss to the Los Angeles Sparks Golden State had a sluggish first half in which it couldn t get anything going offensively The opposing group built a sizable lead early in the third quarter before the Valkyries stormed back to make things compelling in the fourth And with minutes remaining the encounter would be decided by which unit could execute down the stretch This time it was the Valkyries who hit the big shots Golden State erased a -point third-quarter deficit in its preseason finale to beat the Mercury - at PHX Arena After going just of their on -point attempts in the first half the Valkyries made of shots from beyond the arc in the final minutes 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 Tour scored of her game-high points off the bench Starting forward Kayla Thornton had points five rebounds and four steals Guard Carla Leite chipped in points The Valkyries will play their first regular-season match on Friday at home against the Sparks We put particular work together as a association and that has made us grow every day Tour explained I think this day is an example of who we are improving to the end and continuing to push Phoenix opened the third quarter with an - run and seemingly looked to have complete control with the Valkyries starters checking out of the match for good But Golden State s bench led by Leite and Tour determined avenues to knock down shots The Valkyries responded with an - run to cut the Phoenix lead to three capped off by a Leite from the wing With seconds remaining in the period Tour knocked down a three of her own giving Golden State its first lead since the opening minute of the first quarter After an and- -pointer from Leite gave the Valkyries a two-point lead minutes into the fourth quarter Golden State never trailed again and closed the championship with veteran guard Julie Vanloo knocking down four consecutive free throws to ice the meeting I think we shared the ball and determined open shots Leite reported when requested what sparked the Valkyries second-half comeback Tour makes circumstance for roster spot After playing sparingly in the Valkyries preseason opener Tour looked like a long shot to make Golden State s final roster But after Sunday the French guard made things much tougher for Nakase and Golden State s front office Tour flashed her three-level scoring ability in the win and was the catalyst for the Valkyries comeback in the second half She shot from the field from beyond the arc and had a plus-minus rating of Golden State s roster at present has players and will need to be cut to before Friday s season opener Related Articles Warriors coach Kerr lauds Kuminga s Event mulls Butler s minutes load Warriors defense comes and goes with Draymond Green in loss to Timberwolves Warriors claim they are not desperate after wasting vintage Playoff Jimmy performance Curry-less Warriors squander big nights from Butler Kuminga in Match loss Why WNBA veteran Kayla Thornton is built to lead expansion Valkyries Injury updates Guard Kate Martin missed Sunday s match with a hand injury Nakase commented Martin jammed her finger but didn t consider the injury serious and kept the second-year guard as a precaution Stephanie Talbot and Cecilia Zandalasini missed their second straight contest and are considered day-to-day