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

The Golden State Valkyries preseason tournament 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 company built a sizable lead early in the third quarter before the Valkyries stormed back to make things captivating in the fourth And with minutes remaining the tournament would be decided by which gang 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 noted 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 competition on Friday at home against the Sparks We put chosen work together as a band and that has made us grow every day Tour announced I think in the current era 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 meeting for good But Golden State s bench led by Leite and Tour located techniques 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 challenge with veteran guard Julie Vanloo knocking down four consecutive free throws to ice the meeting I think we shared the ball and located open shots Leite disclosed when required what sparked the Valkyries second-half comeback Tour makes affair 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 presently has players and will need to be cut to before Friday s season opener Related Articles Warriors coach Kerr lauds Kuminga s Tournament 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 Contest loss Why WNBA veteran Kayla Thornton is built to lead expansion Valkyries Injury updates Guard Kate Martin missed Sunday s event with a hand injury Nakase stated 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 match and are considered day-to-day