The Golden State Valkyries continued their winning streak, securing a decisive 92-82 victory over the Toronto Tempo, completing a clean sweep of their season series. This triumph was largely fueled by Janelle Salaun's exceptional offensive output, which included a pivotal scoring surge that spanned the third and fourth quarters. The Valkyries demonstrated strong teamwork and strategic play, overcoming a resilient Tempo side that initially held a lead in the third quarter.
On Tuesday night in San Francisco, Janelle Salaun was a standout performer for the Golden State Valkyries, notching a team-high 21 points. A significant portion of her points, precisely eight, came during a critical offensive run that bridged the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth. This scoring spree proved instrumental in the Valkyries' 92-82 triumph over the Toronto Tempo, marking their third consecutive win against their rivals this season.
Kayla Thornton provided substantial support, adding 20 points to the Valkyries' (21-9) scoreboard. This latest win follows their earlier home victory against the Tempo (96-79) on Sunday and an 83-75 success in Toronto in July, firmly establishing their dominance in the series.
For the third time in their encounters, the Tempo (10-20) managed to establish a lead in the third quarter, narrowing the deficit to just 69-68 after Kiki Rice converted two free throws with 1:22 remaining in the period. However, their scoring momentum stalled, as they failed to register points again until Julie Allemand's layup at the 6:54 mark of the fourth quarter. During this crucial interval, the Valkyries capitalized, unleashing a 12-point unanswered run that decisively shifted the game's momentum.
Salaun initiated this decisive run with a three-point play just 2.9 seconds before the end of the third period. She then extended her personal scoring streak with a layup and a subsequent three-pointer, which capped the explosive burst and propelled the Valkyries to a commanding 81-68 advantage. Kiah Stokes and Tiffany Hayes also contributed baskets during this pivotal scoring surge, solidifying Golden State's lead.
The Tempo struggled to recover from this offensive onslaught, managing to close the gap no closer than seven points for the remainder of the game. This impressive performance secured the Golden State Valkyries their 11th victory in their last 13 contests, highlighting their consistent form and strong momentum.
Salaun's 21-point display in this game was the culmination of a remarkable three-game series against Toronto. She had previously set a personal best with 26 points in their away victory in July, and then led the team again with 24 points in the first game of the recent two-game home stand in San Francisco, consistently delivering top-tier performances.
The Golden State bench once again proved to be a formidable force. Salaun and Hayes, who added 12 points, collectively contributed 33 points, mirroring their impactful performance in Sunday's game where the Valkyries' reserves outscored their counterparts 46-8. In this rematch, the bench maintained its superiority with a 37-13 scoring advantage.
Veronica Burton made significant contributions to the Valkyries' success, tallying 12 points, a game-high eight rebounds, and seven assists. Gabby Williams also delivered a strong performance with 10 points and seven rebounds.
For the Toronto Tempo, Nyara Sabally led the scoring with 21 points, as the team extended its losing streak to seven games. Maria Conde provided offensive firepower with 17 points, connecting on five of her ten three-point attempts. Laura Juskaite chipped in with 11 points, while Julie Allemand recorded a game-best eight assists and four steals, alongside seven points.
Marina Mabrey, returning to action after missing Sunday's game due to a neck injury, contributed 12 points for Toronto. Additionally, Aneesah Morrow made her Tempo debut, coming off the bench to score eight points in 16 minutes.
