08/09/26 08:27:00
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08/09 20:25 CDT Valkyries blow most of a 19-point lead before beating the
Sparks 84-78
Valkyries blow most of a 19-point lead before beating the Sparks 84-78
LOS ANGELES (AP) --- Cecilia Zandalasini scored 15 points on 5-of-5 shooting
from 3-point range, Tiffany Hayes added 14 and the Golden State Valkyries blew
most of a 19-point lead before beating the Los Angeles Sparks 84-78 on Sunday
night.
Gabby Williams and Kayla Thornton scored 11 points apiece for the Valkyries
(23-9), who have won four straight and have the best record in the WNBA since
June 24 (13-2).
The Valkyries were 12 of 18 (66.7%) from the field and Zandalasini scored nine
points on 3-of-3 shooting from 3-point range in Golden State's highest-scoring
first quarter this season to take a 29-15 lead into the second.
Golden State took a 66-47 lead, its biggest of the game, when Kaitlyn Chen made
a layup 24 seconds into the fourth quarter. The Sparks scored 26 of the next 34
points to trim the deficit to a point when Ariel Atkins hit a 3-pointer with
1:38 remaining.
Williams made a straightaway bank shot, Janelle Salaun hit a 3-pointer and
Thornton made two free throws with 21 seconds left that gave the Valkyries an
81-73 lead.
Nneka Ogwumike scored 16 points and Erica Wheeler added 15 for the Sparks
(12-19). Dearica Hamby had 12 points and Kiana Williams 10, all in the first
quarter.
Golden State's Kiah Stokes took an inadvertent elbow from Cameron Brink with
6:48 to play and left the game for good due to a neck contusion.
Monique Akoa Makani (injury/illness) did not play for the Sparks.
Up next
Valkyries: Host Chicago on Wednesday.
Sparks: Play Phoenix at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
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