The Toronto Tempo have reached a significant milestone for an expansion franchise, climbing to a .500 record after a commanding 93-72 victory over the Seattle Storm on Saturday.
Balanced Attack Powers Tempo
Veterans Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes led the way with 18 and 15 points respectively, but the Tempo's offense was far from a two-player show. Rookie point guard Kiki Rice contributed 17 points, while forward Laura Juskaite added 14 and Maria Conde chipped in 13 off the bench. The balanced scoring made it difficult for the Storm to mount an effective defense.
Seattle entered the game short-handed, missing Dominique Malonga (concussion) and Ezi Magbegor (right foot issue). Despite their absence, the Storm still managed to control the paint, but they had no answer for Toronto's mid-range and long-range shooting.
Free-Throw Excellence
A standout statistic from the game was the Tempo's performance at the free-throw line. Toronto was a perfect 31-for-31 from the stripe before Teonni Key missed two attempts in the final minute, leaving the team at 31-for-33 for the game. The accuracy from the line was a key factor in maintaining their lead.
The Tempo built on a slim halftime advantage with a dominant third quarter, outscoring the Storm to secure the 93-72 win. Toronto now holds a 5-4 record and will face the New York Liberty on the road Wednesday.
Head Coach and players alike have reason to be proud of the team's progress, as they continue to hold their own against more established WNBA franchises.
