SAN FRANCISCO (Interstat) — Janelle Salaun scored 21 points off the bench, Gabby Williams added 19 points in her home debut and the Golden State Valkyries defeated the Phoenix Mercury 95-79 on Sunday night at Chase Center before 18,064.

Kayla Thornton also scored 19 points and Veronica Burton had 13 points and 12 assists for the Valkyries, who improved to 2-0. Laeticia Amihere added 13 points, six rebounds and five assists. Alyssa Thomas recorded 19 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds for the Mercury, who fell to 1-1 after routing the defending champion Las Vegas Aces the previous night. Natasha Mack, who had 15 rebounds against the Aces, managed only two rebounds Sunday. Jovana Nogic scored 16 points for Phoenix.

The Valkyries outscored the Mercury 31-11 in the second quarter to take control. Golden State shot 33 of 67 from the floor and forced 17 Phoenix turnovers while committing only nine. The Mercury shot 26 of 54 but were outrebounded 33-29 and had only two assists.