SAN FRANCISCO (Interstat) — Janelle Salaun scored 21 points off the bench, Gabby Williams added 19 points and five rebounds in her home debut, and the Golden State Valkyries defeated the Phoenix Mercury 95-79 on Sunday night at Chase Center.

Kayla Thornton also scored 19 points and Veronica Burton contributed 13 points and 12 assists for the Valkyries, who improved to 2-0. Alyssa Thomas nearly recorded a triple-double for Phoenix with 19 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds, but the Mercury fell to 1-1 after completing a road back-to-back.

Phoenix had routed the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 99-66 on Saturday, the largest road win in franchise history, but struggled to maintain that momentum against a Golden State team that used a dominant second quarter to seize control.

The game began with both teams trading baskets. Phoenix jumped out early behind Jovana Nogic, who hit a 19-foot jumper and a 3-pointer in the opening minutes. The Mercury led 20-17 after the first quarter, with Nogic scoring eight points in the period. Golden State’s offense relied on Kaila Charles, who contributed a 3-pointer and a driving layup, while Veronica Burton scored four points from the foul line.

The second quarter proved decisive. Golden State outscored Phoenix 31-11, holding the Mercury to just 11 points while shooting 11 of 18 from the field. Kayla Thornton ignited the run with a 3-pointer and a layup, and Janelle Salaun added a basket and a free throw. Gabby Williams scored eight points in the quarter, including a 3-pointer and a pullup jumper. Laeticia Amihere chipped in with four points and a block. Phoenix committed six turnovers in the period, and Alyssa Thomas picked up her third foul, forcing her to the bench. The Valkyries led 48-31 at halftime.

Phoenix made a push in the third quarter. The Mercury scored 31 points, their highest output in any period, and cut the deficit to single digits. Jovana Nogic hit two 3-pointers, Kahleah Copper added a 3-pointer and a layup, and Alyssa Thomas scored six points, including four free throws. Natasha Mack contributed a layup and a free throw. But Golden State answered each run. Janelle Salaun buried a 3-pointer, Veronica Burton hit a 3-pointer and a driving floater, and Gabby Williams scored five points. The Valkyries led 66-62 entering the fourth quarter.

The final period belonged to Golden State. The Valkyries outscored Phoenix 29-17, using a balanced attack to pull away. Janelle Salaun scored eight points, including a 3-pointer and three free throws. Gabby Williams added seven points, including two 3-pointers. Laeticia Amihere scored five points and blocked two shots. Veronica Burton made two free throws and had four assists. Phoenix could not keep pace. Alyssa Thomas scored seven points and had three assists, but the Mercury committed five turnovers in the quarter. Natasha Mack hit a 3-pointer, and Noemie Brochant added a 3-pointer, but it was not enough.

Key plays defined the game. In the second quarter, with the score tied at 20-20, Golden State went on a 14-2 run capped by a Kayla Thornton 3-pointer and a Gabby Williams pullup jumper. Phoenix missed six consecutive shots during that stretch. Later, with the Mercury trailing 48-31 at halftime, they opened the third quarter with a 10-3 run, but Golden State answered with a 9-2 spurt. In the fourth quarter, with Phoenix within 76-67, Janelle Salaun hit a 3-pointer and a layup to push the lead to 14.

Alyssa Thomas was the top performer for Phoenix. She played 38 minutes and finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, 11 assists and one block. She shot 5 of 11 from the floor and 9 of 13 from the free throw line, but she committed six turnovers. Natasha Mack added 11 points and two rebounds in 29 minutes. Kahleah Copper scored 10 points but shot 4 of 15 from the field. DeWanna Bonner had five points and eight rebounds. Jovana Nogic scored 11 points off the bench, hitting three 3-pointers.

For Golden State, Janelle Salaun led all scorers with 21 points on 7 of 11 shooting, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range. She also had three rebounds and two assists in 26 minutes. Gabby Williams scored 19 points on 7 of 16 shooting, with five rebounds and three assists. Kayla Thornton scored 19 points on 8 of 14 shooting, including 3 of 7 from beyond the arc. Veronica Burton recorded 13 points and 12 assists, her second double-double of the season. Laeticia Amihere had 13 points, six rebounds, five assists and three blocks in 24 minutes.

The attendance was 18,064.

Golden State shot 33 of 67 from the field for 49.3 percent, including 13 of 33 from 3-point range for 39.4 percent, and 16 of 18 from the free throw line for 88.9 percent. Phoenix shot 26 of 54 from the field for 48.1 percent, including 11 of 22 from 3-point range for 50 percent, and 16 of 19 from the free throw line for 84.2 percent.

The Valkyries committed 10 turnovers, while the Mercury committed 17. Golden State had 10 steals and four blocks, Phoenix had three steals and four blocks. The Valkyries outrebounded Phoenix 30-28, including a 6-4 edge on offensive rebounds. Golden State also had 10 assists to Phoenix’s three.

Phoenix returns home to host Minnesota on Monday. Golden State hosts Chicago on Wednesday, then travels to New York and Indiana.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected Phoenix with a 57.80 percent probability to win. Golden State had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of minus 1.5. The total score of 79 went over the over-under line of 153.