The Golden State Valkyries picked up a big road win Wednesday 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.
For Indiana, 9-10, it was the second state loss to the Valkyries, losing 88-77 at Chase Center on June 19.
Veronica Burton led the Valkyries with 21 points including a career-high five 3-point baskets in 11 attempts. All-Star Kayla Thornton missed her first six shots but came on strong in the second half and finished with 18 points.
Indiana’s Caitlin Clark, who had missed the previous five games with a groin injury, struggled again against Golden State. She finished with 10 points on 4-for-12 shooting. Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 12 points and Makayla Timpson had 10.
Burton’s fourth 3-pointer of the game put Golden State up 64-50, with Mitchell of Indiana hitting one of two free throws after being fouled for a 64-51 margin after three quarters.
Golden State finished with a flourish in the first half with an 18-2 run and took a 41-32 lead into intermission, outscoring Indiana 20-9 in the second quarter.
Kayla Thornton, after missing her first six shots, connected on a three ball and a pair of free throws and Tiffany Hayes scored on a drive with 45.2 seconds left. Clark, who was scoreless after five early points in the first quarter, was 2-for-6 from the floor.
Golden State’s bench outscored the Fever 19-6 in the first half. Veronica Burton had eight points at the half including 2-for-3 on 3-point attempts. She also had three rebounds and three assists in a half during which nine of 10 players who played scored for the Valkyries. Aari McDonald led Indiana with seven points.
The Valkyries trailed by as many as nine points in the first quarter but closed to within 23-21 when Janelle Salaun scored on a driving layup at the buzzer.
Clark, after being shut down when the two teams met on June 19 at Chase Center, scored five quick points and had an assist in her first shift after missing the last five game — one on a step-back 3-pointer. Clark was 0-for-7 on 3-point attempts and 3-for-14 overall in an 88-77 win by Golden State.
The Valkyries close out their road trip Saturday against the Las Vegas Aces.
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