After struggling to find a win last week, the Golden State Valkyries finally got back on track.
Despite suiting up just eight players, the Valkyries snapped their three-game losing streak with a 90-81 road win over the Dallas Wings. Golden State thoroughly shut down rookie sensation Paige Bueckers, holding the former UConn superstar to nine points on 3-of-12 shooting from the field.
The Valkyries stopped Bueckers’ streak of consecutive double-digit scoring games at 30.
Veronica Burton did just about everything for the Valkyries as she scored 25 points, dished out 13 assists and grabbed five rebounds. Kaila Charles, who was cut from the Wings earlier this season, drew the assignment of guarding Bueckers and chipped in with 16 points. Iliana Rupert added 17 points and six rebounds.
The Valkyries hit 16 of their 38 shots from beyond the arc in the win. They also hit all 18 of their free throws attempts
Maddy Siegrist led the wings with 16 points.
The Valkyries had a laundry list of players out with injuries, including Kayla Thornton (knee), Cecilia Zandalasini (calf), Monique Billings (ankle), Carla Leite (ankle) and Tiffany Hayes (knee).
After fumbling a big lead early, the Valkyries got back on track in the third quarter.
Burton scored 10 points in the period and outscored the Wings 25-17 to take a 61-55 lead going into the fourth quarter.
A quick 6-0 run, capped off by a 26-foot 3-pointer from Kate Martin, gave the Valkyries a 12-point lead early in the fourth period.
Behind a Burton-centric attack, the Valkyries ballooned their advantage to as big 15 in the final quarter. Golden State outpaced Dallas’ offense and cruised to a comfortable win on the road.
Burton scored shook off a four-point first half, scoring 21 points in the final two quarters to lead the Valkyries to their second win over the Wings this season.
Golden State shut down the Bueckers in the first half as the rookie standout was held scoreless, but other players stepped up for Dallas. Myisha Hines-Allen and Amy Okonkwo combined to score 23 of the Wings’ 38-first half points to give the home team a two-point advantage at halftime.
It was just the 12th time this season Dallas led after the first two quarters.
Golden State failed to build off its strong first quarter, getting outscored by the Wings 26-13 in the next period.
The Valkyries got off to a hot start, hitting five of their first 10 3-pointers to take an 11-point lead after the first quarter.
Golden State will get some much needed rest going into its next game. The Valkyries won’t play again until Saturday when they return to Chase Center to play the Washington Mystics.
Reports: Černivec on the move
Vice president of basketball operations Vanja Černivec is leaving the Valkyries’ organization.
The longtime international basketball scout is expected to become the next general manager of the Portland Fire – one of the two expansion teams entering the league next season – according to a report from Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden Report and Rip City Radio 620 in Portland.
When reached for confirmation of the move, a Valkyries spokesperson declined to comment. The Fire did not respond to requests for comment from this news organization.
Černivec was influential in helping build the Valkyries’ current roster. After April’s draft, Valkyries GM Ohemaa Nyanin thanked Černivec for her work in scouting different players to bring to the team.
Portland looks to be retooling its front office after it parted ways with team president Inky Son earlier this summer. Longtime Nike executive Clare Hamill recently took over as president of the team.