In a significant milestone, the Toronto Tempo defeated the Seattle Storm 86-73 on Wednesday, marking their first victory in franchise history. Marina Mabrey led the team with a remarkable 26 points and four steals, demonstrating her pivotal role in the game.
Game Highlights
Toronto secured their win in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. Key contributions came from Brittney Sykes and Maria Conde, who tallied 18 points and 16 points, respectively. Sykes also recorded eight rebounds and six assists.
First Half Overview
The match started energetically, with both teams exchanging leads. Toronto ended the first quarter strong, leading 29-24 after a 10-2 run. However, Seattle responded in the second quarter, closing the half with a 7-0 run to hold a narrow 45-44 lead.
Critical Third Quarter
The third quarter proved decisive for Toronto. Trailing 50-47, they launched an 18-6 run, pushing their advantage to 65-56. Mabrey and Conde combined for 14 points in this period, allowing the Tempo to head into the final quarter with a 67-62 lead.
Decisive Final Minutes
Mabrey continued her strong performance, scoring eight points within the first six minutes of the fourth quarter. A highlight moment came when she sank a contested three-pointer, increasing Toronto’s lead to 81-71. Rookie guard Kiki Rice also made her mark, scoring 12 points including a personal 5-0 run that rejuvenated the team early in the game.
Team Performances
- Toronto Tempo:
- Mabrey: 26 points, 4 steals
- Sykes: 18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists
- Conde: 16 points
- Rice: 12 points, rookie debut
- Seattle Storm:
- Malonga: 21 points
- Dolson: 16 points
Upcoming Matches
The Tempo will embark on a four-game road trip, beginning with a match against the Los Angeles Sparks. Meanwhile, the Storm will face the Indiana Fever as part of their ongoing road stretch.
