The Toronto Tempo overcame injuries, adversity, and a late Connecticut rally to earn a hard-fought 101-97 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Friday night at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Playing without leading scorer Brittney Sykes and rookie guard Kiki Rice, Toronto relied on a balanced offensive attack and a standout performance from Marina Mabrey to secure the franchise’s seventh win of the season. The victory snapped a recent losing streak and strengthened the Tempo’s position in the WNBA playoff race.
Mabrey led the way with a dominant scoring display, knocking down key shots throughout the contest and helping Toronto answer every Connecticut challenge. Temi Fagbenle delivered one of her strongest performances of the season, providing valuable scoring and rebounding in the paint, while Maria Kliundikova came through in the closing minutes with clutch free throws to seal the win.
The game featured several momentum swings. Toronto built an early advantage behind efficient perimeter shooting, but Connecticut battled back in the second half behind its young core and aggressive defense. The Sun erased much of the deficit during the fourth quarter before the Tempo responded with a series of defensive stops and timely baskets.
Despite a shortened rotation and ongoing injury concerns, Toronto displayed resilience throughout the night. Head coach Sandy Brondello’s club received important contributions across the lineup, including strong minutes from Julie Allemand, Isabelle Harrison, and Maria Juskaite.
The Tempo entered the game facing significant injury challenges after losing Sykes and Rice for extended periods, making Friday’s road victory even more significant. Toronto improved its record and completed a season sweep of Connecticut, having previously defeated the Sun in overtime earlier this month.
Toronto now returns home with renewed confidence after one of its most determined performances of the season. If the Tempo can continue to receive balanced scoring and strong defensive efforts while awaiting the return of key injured players, they will remain firmly in the hunt for a postseason berth.
Final Score
Toronto Tempo 101
Connecticut Sun 97
Three Stars
1. Marina Mabrey, Toronto
2. Temi Fagbenle, Toronto
3. Maria Kliundikova, Toronto
