The brand new WNBA expansion team Golden State Valkyries(3-5) ended their four-game skid in impressive fashion, routing the Las Vegas Aces(4-3) 95-68 on Saturday.
Kayla Thornton led the way with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Veronica Burton and Monique Billings also recorded double-doubles. Burton tallied 14 points, a career-high 12 assists, and 7 rebounds, while Billings added 14 points, 11 boards, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Cecilia Zandalasini poured in a career-best 18 points, and former Aces player, Kate Martin chipped in a 12 point night as Golden State set a franchise record for points in a game.
The Valkyries took control late in the first quarter and never looked back. Thornton assisted Martin for a go-ahead layup, then drilled a 3-pointer in the second to push the lead to double digits. A 34-point second quarter helped Golden State build a 49-28 halftime advantage, capped by Martin’s buzzer-beating three.
Las Vegas struggled offensively, shooting just 29% in the first half and finishing at 36% overall. They went just 6-for-25 from beyond the arc. A’ja Wilson once again led the Aces with 17 points, while Chelsea Gray added 16 and rookie Aaliyah Nye had a season-high 13 with three 3-pointers.
Post game Becky Hammon shared her frustrations saying “It was a good old-fashioned a** whooping, and there’s no other way to do it. This is just really one of the worst games I’ve seen from us.”
The Aces look to bounce back in Vegas as they will take on the LA Sparks for the second time in Michelob Ultra Arena this season.
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