Valkyries knock FEVER for big Win - Marin Independent Journal

WNBA

Valkyries knock FEVER for big Win

Burton scores 21 points as Golden State gets first victory outside of California

Golden State’s Kate Martin drives against former Iowa teammate Caitlin Clark of Indiana on Wednesday in Indianapolis. PHOTOS BY DOUG MCSCHOOLER – THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Golden State’s Veronica Burton, right, is defended by Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell in the first half of the Valkyries’ win on Wednesday in Indianapolis.

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By Jerry McDonald

Bay Area News Group

The Golden State Valkyries picked up a big road win Wednesday by taking charge in the second quarter and keeping their foot on the gas for a 80-61 win over the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Valkyries improved to 10-9 after losing the first two games of a four-game road trip in Minnesota and Atlanta. Now 3-6 on the road, it was the first win outside the state of California for Golden State, which counted its first two road victories against the Sparks in Los Angeles.

The WNBA leader in field goal percentage defense, Golden State held Indiana to 21-for-68 shooting (30.9 percent) and 6-for-27 on 3-point attempts. The 61 points was the lowest point total a Golden State opponent has had all season.

“Overall we played team basketball today and I think that’s something we’ve been missing,” coach Natalie Nakase said. “We played team defense. I’d say the last two games it got a little individual. Credit to our players, just being coachable, coachable, coachable.”