Marina Mabrey scored 26 points as the Toronto Tempo secured their first victory in franchise history, defeating the Seattle Storm 86-73 on Wednesday night in Toronto, Ontario.
Mabrey connected on 9 of 20 from the floor and 6 of 11 from 3-point land while also notching four rebounds, four steals and three assists for the Tempo (1-1). Toronto also got a stat-stuffing effort of 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists from Brittney Sykes, 16 points from Maria Conde and 12 points from first-round draft pick Kiki Rice.
Mabrey scored 27 points in the 68-65 loss to Washington on May 8.
Dominique Malonga powered the Storm (1-2) with 21 points and seven rebounds. Stefanie Dolson chipped in 16 points while Jade Melbourne scored 14 off the bench.
After an evenly-played first half, the Tempo began to pull away in the third quarter with an 18-6 run which turned a 50-47 deficit into a 65-56 lead. The stretch was highlighted by Mabrey stealing the ball from Seattle and dishing an assist to Sykes who scored on a fast-break layup in traffic. A few possessions later, Sykes fired a pass to Mabrey who swished a 3-pointer from the right wing before Malonga could recover in time to contest the shot. Conde capped the run with a trey as 3:06 remained in the quarter.
The Tempo grew their lead to 10 points with about four minutes left to play in the fourth quarter when Mabrey knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers on assists from Nyara Sabally and Julie Allemand. A late layup and a free throw from Sabally pushed Toronto’s lead to 13 points, their largest of the game.
Toronto won the rebounding battle 33-28 and also turned 19 Seattle turnovers into 26 points. The Tempo resoundingly outscored the Storm 17-2 on fast breaks.
Temi Fagbenle (right shoulder) and Isabelle Harrison (right hand) remained out for Toronto with injuries. Ezi Magbegor (right foot) and Katie Lou Samuelson (right knee) were still sidelined for Seattle. First round draft pick Awa Fam is still not with the Storm.
–Field Level Media
