09/18/26 11:14:00
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09/18 23:12 CDT Kaitlyn Chen makes five 3-pointers on the way to 17 points off
the bench, Valkyries beat Fire 82-66
Kaitlyn Chen makes five 3-pointers on the way to 17 points off the bench,
Valkyries beat Fire 82-66
By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Sports Writer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) --- Kaitlyn Chen scored 17 points off the bench with a
career-high five 3-pointers, Laeticia Amihere also scored 17, and the Golden
State Valkyries returned from the break for the FIBA Women's Basketball World
Cup to beat the Portland Fire 82-66 on Friday night for their fifth straight
victory.
Tiffany Hayes had 13 points and seven assists, while Kayla Thornton contributed
13 points and four rebounds as the Valkyries played without star Gabby Williams
and top reserve Janelle Salaun, both of whom played for the French team that
lost to the U.S. 97-79 in the World Cup final on Sunday.
Golden State coach Natalie Nakase served as an assistant for the Americans, and
she is being cautious with her team's health ahead of the WNBA playoffs. The
Valkyries (30-11) are in second place behind Minnesota in the league standings.
Frieda Buhner scored 14 points and Nyadiew Puoch had 11 points and eight
rebounds for the Fire.
Portland guard Carla Leite, also on the French team, started and missed her
initial four shots before finishing with 12 points and six assists. The Fire
lost their third straight game and sixth out of their last seven.
Valkyries forward Cecilia Zandalasini played for Italy in the World Cup and
also rested Friday.
Chen shot 6 for 10 and 5 of 8 from deep as Golden State finished 13 of 37 from
3-point range, also getting three 3s apiece from rookie Juste Jocyte and
Thornton.
Up next
Fire: Visit Los Angeles on Sunday.
Valkyries: Host Seattle on Saturday night.
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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
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