Central Plains FFA Chapter

06/13 00:01 CDT Janelle Salaun scores 22, Gabby Williams adds 19 and the Valkyries held off the Storm 76-72 Janelle Salaun scores 22, Gabby Williams adds 19 and the Valkyries held off the Storm 76-72 SEATTLE (AP) --- Janelle Salaun had 22 points and five 3-pointers, Gabby Williams added 19 points against her former team, and the Golden State Valkyries held off the Seattle Storm 76-72 on Friday night. Salaun's fifth 3-pointer gave Golden State a 69-57 lead with 4:23 remaining. But the Valkyries did not make another field goal, finishing the frame 1 of 16 to allow Seattle back in it. Seattle cut its deficit to 71-70 and had the ball, but Flau'jae Johnson's layup attempt rolled off the rim. Golden State guard Tiffany Hayes was fouled with 21.3 seconds left and made two free throws for a three-point lead. After Seattle got within one point again with 13.4 left, Williams made two free throws for a 75-72 lead and Kiah Stokes blocked a 3-point attempt at the other end. Hayes finished with 17 points off the bench and Veronica Burton had 11 points and eight assists for Golden State (8-5). Williams, who played in Seattle for four seasons, made all five of her free throws to help the Valkyries go 20 of 23 from the line. Natisha Hiedeman had a career-high 26 points with five 3-pointers for Seattle (3-12), which has lost eight straight games. Salaun scored 13 points in the first half to help the Valkyries lead 40-38 at halftime. Golden State's largest lead was 59-44 after a 19-6 start to the third.

Up next Golden State: Begins a three-game homestand on Monday against Los Angeles. Seattle: Plays at Portland on Wednesday. ___ AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball