SAN FRANCISCO — For a moment, it looked like the Valkyries might run away with Friday’s game. 

Playing the league-leading Minnesota Lynx, Golden State was up 10 with 38.3 seconds left in the first half. 

But all the momentum built in the first half disappeared after veteran Gabby Williams fouled Kayla McBride and Nia Coffey on 3-point attempts on back-to-back possessions. 

Instead of going into halftime up double-digits, the Valkyries went into the break conceding momentum to the Lynx and they took advantage. 

Minnesota used the mini second-quarter run to propel it to a 81-75 win over the Valkyries. Golden State has now lost eight straight to the Lynx as they remain the only team the second-year franchise hasn’t beaten in its short history. 

Cecilia Zandalasini led the Valkyries with 23 points. Gabby Williams added 15. 

The Valkyries held rookie sensation Olivia Miles to just seven points and four assists, but couldn’t stop anyone else. 

Nia Coffey had led the Lynx with 22 points, Courtney Williams had 21 and Kayla McBride recorded 17. 

The Lynx came out of halftime firing on all cylinders.

Minnesota opened the game with a 12-5 run to take a 53-51 lead early in the period. 

The Valkyries cut Minnesota’s lead to five with under a minute to go in the fourth with Janelle Salaün at the line shooting two free throws. 

But the second-year player missed both and the Lynx slowly built their advantage back with free throws. 

Golden State gave one more punch after Zandalasini hit a clutch 3-pointer with under 20 seconds left. But Miles hit two free throws on the ensuing possession and the rookie blocked Zandalasini’s 3-pointer up four to close out the game.

Zandalasini gets back on track

The Italian sharpshooter had a rough stretch of games since returning to the starting lineup.

Over the last five games, she’s averaged just 3.6 points per game. She’s shot 36% from the field and 30% from the 3-point line this season. 

Zandalasini scored 14 points in the first half on 5-of-7 shooting from the field and 3-for-4 shooting from the 3-point line.