Marina Mabrey led the expansion Toronto Tempo to their first victory in the WNBA, scoring a game-high 26 points and adding four steals in an 86-73 triumph over the Seattle Storm on Wednesday.
In addition to Mabrey's stellar performance, Brittney Sykes contributed significantly with 18 points, eight rebounds, and six assists for Toronto, who now holds a 1-1 record. Maria Conde also made an impact off the bench, adding another 16 points to the team's total.
For Seattle, which fell to a 1-2 record, Dominique Malonga was the standout player, leading her team with 21 points, while Stefanie Dolson chipped in an additional 16 points to support the effort.
The game began with a highly competitive opening quarter, with both teams exchanging baskets on nearly every possession. As the quarter progressed, the Tempo seized the momentum by executing a 10-2 run, ending the first quarter with a 29-24 lead.
However, the tide turned in the second quarter as the Storm rallied late, concluding the half with a 7-0 run that allowed them to take a 45-44 lead into the halftime break. The shift in momentum showcased the Storm's resilience and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
The third quarter marked a turning point for the Tempo as Mabrey and Conde demonstrated their scoring prowess. After trailing 50-47 early, Toronto unleashed an impressive 18-6 run, establishing their largest lead of the night at 65-56. The dynamic duo combined for 14 points during this pivotal quarter, allowing the Tempo to enter the final frame with a 67-62 advantage.
In the fourth quarter, Mabrey continued her dominant performance, scoring eight points within the first six minutes. A notable highlight was her high-arching three-pointer which boosted Toronto's lead to 81-71, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Takeaways
The Tempo had a fast start, showcasing their shooting accuracy with 58.8 percent from the field in the first quarter. However, their offensive production dipped in the second quarter, where they managed only 37.5 percent shooting. The team's success seemed largely dependent on Mabrey, who shot 6-for-11 from the field in the second half, scoring 16 points when Toronto achieved its largest leads.
On the other side, the Storm benefited from the offensive efforts of center Dolson and power forward Malonga, who faced minimal defensive resistance early on. The duo combined for 26 of Seattle's 45 first-half points, helping open up space for their three-point shooters.
Key moment
A significant moment in the game occurred when Mabrey connected on a contested three-pointer with four minutes left in the contest, extending Toronto's lead to 81-71. This critical basket effectively punctuated Toronto's determination to secure their inaugural victory.
Key stat
Rookie guard Kiki Rice, selected as Toronto’s first-round draft pick, made her WNBA debut memorable by scoring her first points in spectacular fashion. She sparked a personal 5-0 run that helped ignite a 10-2 Tempo run, shifting the momentum late in the first quarter. Rice ended the game with 12 points, marking an encouraging start to her professional career.
Up next
The Toronto Tempo is set to embark on a four-game road trip, beginning with a matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday. Meanwhile, the Seattle Storm will also be on the road as they play the Indiana Fever, marking the third game of their own four-game road trip on Friday.
