Janelle Salaun poured 11 of her game-high 24 points into a key third-quarter run and the Golden State Valkyries took advantage of the absence of Toronto All-Star Marina Mabrey to eventually overpower the Tempo 96-79 on Sunday night in San Francisco.
The teams will meet in a rematch in San Francisco on Tuesday, when the second-year Valkyries (20-9) attempt to sweep the three-game season series from the expansion Tempo (10-19).
Seeking to end a five-game losing streak, the Tempo rallied from an early double-digit deficit into a 56-51 lead in the fourth minute of the third quarter after a Julie Allemand 3-pointer.
But that’s when Salaun, a Golden State reserve, took over, packaging two 3-pointers, a three-point play and a 15-footer into a four-minute flurry during which the Valkyries flipped the five-point deficit into a 67-59 advantage.
Using superior depth, including 15 points from reserve Tiffany Hayes, the hosts kept the Tempo at arm’s length the rest of the way en route to snapping a two-game skid.
Salaun’s 24 points were two shy of her career high, set in an 83-75 win at Toronto in July. She made nine of her 15 shots from the floor, including four 3-pointers, as the Valkyries outscored the visitors 42-21 from beyond the arc.
Hayes’ contribution helped Golden State build a 46-8 advantage in bench points.
Starters Veronica Burton (17) and Gabby Williams (15) combined for 32 points, while Kiah Stokes secured a game-high 11 rebounds to complement eight points and five blocks. Hayes also found time for three steals and four assists.
All five Tempo starters scored in double figures, led by Nyara Sabally with 19. She also led the visitors with eight rebounds.
Kiki Rice added 16 points for Toronto, while Laura Juskaite had 15, Allemand 11 and Maria Conde 10.
Allemand tied Burton for game-high assist honors with six.
Mabrey, out with a strained neck, is expected to miss at least two weeks. The Tempo also played without recently acquired Aneesah Morrow.
–Field Level Media
