Rupert hits five 3s for career-high 21 points, Valkyries beat Fever 75-63

SAN FRANCISCO AP Iliana Rupert scored a career-high points and the Golden State Valkyries beat the Indiana Fever - on Sunday night to move closer to a playoff berth in their first season The Valkyries - shot for on -pointers in the first quarter and led by before finishing for behind the arc five from Rupert and trimmed their magic number to three with five games remaining They are games ahead of Los Angeles and bunched with the Fever - and Seattle - for playoff seeding Janelle Salaun and Kate Martin both added points for Golden State and Veronica Burton had assists Reserve Aerial Powers scored points to lead the Fever who are still without reigning Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark Kelsey Mitchell had points and Natasha Howard but Aliyah Boston was held to four almost below her average The championship had a long delay in the opening minutes because of technical difficulties with the shot clocks which went out with the Fever on top - After it was determined to play with temporary shot clocks on the baseline ending a -minute delay the Valkyries took off making four consecutive s By the end of the quarter the Valkyries had a - lead and a franchise record for s in a quarter They promptly pushed the lead to but the Fever recovered from the foul line and trailed - at the half Indiana pulled to - with minutes to play when the Valkyries began hitting s again Golden State was of in the fourth quarter and Indiana was of Fever visit Phoenix on Tuesday and Valkyries host New York AP WNBA https apnews com hub wnba-basketball Source