Las Vegas, NV – The Valkyries secured a crucial 78-75 victory over the Connecticut Dream tonight in a thrilling WNBA matchup held at the T-Mobile Arena. Cecilia Zandalasini delivered the decisive play, draining a contested three-pointer with just 1.8 seconds remaining to silence a raucous home crowd and prevent a Dream comeback.
The Dream, led by a dominant performance from guard Alyssa Thomas, initially established a comfortable lead, building a 10-point advantage in the second quarter. Thomas finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, showcasing her all-around game and proving a significant hurdle for the Valkyries defense. Guardnae Groves contributed 18 points, but ultimately it was not enough to overcome the Valkyries’ late-game resilience.
The Valkyries, playing their first home game of the season, struggled to contain the Dream’s offensive pressure for the majority of the contest. However, a concerted effort in the fourth quarter, spearheaded by forward Nia Farquhar (16 points) and guard Rachel Runnells (14 points), chipped away at the Dream’s lead.
With 1:55 left on the clock, the Dream held a 75-72 lead. The Valkyries utilized a timeout to draw up a play, and Runnells managed to drive to the basket, drawing a foul on Groves. Runnells calmly sank both free throws, tying the game at 75.
Following a Dream timeout, the Dream attempted a final play, but a contested shot from Groves fell short. The Valkyries secured the rebound, and with time winding down, Zandalasini caught a pass just beyond the arc, elevating for a difficult shot that found the bottom of the net.
“It was a tough play, a great defensive effort from the Dream, but we fought until the end,” said Valkyries head coach Mike Tassinari following the game. “Cecilia’s shot was incredible – a testament to her work ethic and composure under pressure.”
The Valkyries improve to 2-1 on the season, while the Dream fall to 3-1. The Valkyries will return to action next Friday, hosting the Minnesota Lynx. The Dream will look to rebound against the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday.
Fuente:
https://deadspin.com/valkyries-cecilia-zandalasini-drills-late-jumper-to-deny-dream/