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 gang s high-powered offense in check The effect The expansion squad played perhaps its best meeting of the season defeating the defending champion Liberty - in front of its th consecutive sellout crowd of the season 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 championship 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 association to two free throw attempts Breanna Stewart saw only four of her shots go through the basket but got bulk of her points at the free throw line 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 Golden State fell behind by four points after the first quarter but an offensive explosion in the second period gave the Valkyries a confident 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 club 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 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