Golden State Valkyries beat the Sparks 89-81 as Thornton takes over in OT
Janelle Salaun had 21 points and eight rebounds, Kayla Thornton made a 3-pointer with 37.9 seconds left in overtime, and the Golden State Valkyries beat the Los Angeles Sparks 89-81 on Monday night.
The Monday night victory puts them at a 2-2 record in the Commissioner's Cup.
Veronica Burton made her first field goal of the game in overtime and Thornton added a basket on Golden State's next possession for an 82-79 lead. Salaun scored on the Valkyries' third straight possession, following an offensive rebound, to make it 84-81 with 2:03 left.
Golden State dominated the rebounding 49-34, including 17-6 on the offensive end.
Los Angeles missed 8 of 9 field goals in overtime.
Thornton finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds and Temi Fagbenle added 14 points, 13 rebounds, four steals and four blocks for Golden State (4-5). Carla Leite scored 15 points and Monique Billings added 10. The Valkyries went 20 for 23 at the free-throw line.
Kelsey Plum had 24 points, four 3-pointers and seven assists for Los Angeles (3-7). Dearica Hamby added 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Plum reached 1,000 career assists in the fourth quarter.
Plum made a step-back 3-pointer with 37.8 left in regulation to give Los Angeles a 78-76 lead. But Golden State had two chances at the other end after an offensive rebound and Leite made a driving layup at 25.1 to tie it. Plum was short on a contested shot in the lane just before the regulation buzzer.
The teams were a combined 11 for 57 (19%) from 3-point range.
Golden State will face the Seattle Storm on June 14 for another Commissioner's Cup game.
