In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Brittney Sykes led the Toronto Tempo to their first-ever road victory by scoring a career-high 38 points. The Tempo triumphed over the Los Angeles Sparks with a final score of 106-96 during a thrilling match on Sunday.
Game Highlights
- Sykes achieved a career-high of 38 points, surpassing her previous best of 35 points.
- Rookie Kiki Rice contributed 19 points in her first start with the team.
- Marina Mabrey added 14 points, and Kia Nurse scored 10 points for Toronto.
- The Tempo shot an impressive 39 out of 42 from the free-throw line.
- Sykes was flawless at the line, going 15 for 15.
Sparks Performances
The Los Angeles Sparks had notable contributions from several players:
- Kelsey Plum led the Sparks with 28 points.
- Dearica Hamby scored 21 points.
- Nneka Ogwumike added 17 points, and Kate Martin scored 11.
The Sparks converted 23 out of 30 free throws during a game heavily influenced by fouls, with a total of 59 fouls called on both teams.
Game Progression
This victory marked a significant turnaround for the Tempo. Previously, during a matchup on Friday, they fell to the Sparks with a close score of 99-95. In that game, Sykes managed to score 27 points, while Rice registered 11 points off the bench.
In contrast, the Tempo quickly established their dominance against the Sparks in their latest meeting. After an initial 18-18 tie, the Tempo surged ahead, closing the first quarter with a 27-21 lead following a 9-3 run. They maintained a double-digit lead at times and went into halftime ahead 49-40.
Looking Ahead
Following this milestone win, Toronto Tempo will continue their four-game road trip with their next game against the Phoenix team on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Sparks will also be heading to Phoenix on Thursday, embarking on their own four-game road stretch.
