Marina Mabrey Ties WNBA 3-Point Record with 37-Point Eruption in Toronto Comeback

Marina Mabrey delivered a historic shooting performance on Friday night, tying the WNBA single-game record with nine 3-pointers and pouring in a career-high 37 points. Her offensive explosion propelled the expansion Toronto Tempo to a thrilling 101-97 comeback victory over the Connecticut Sun, snapping a three-game losing streak for the league's newest franchise.[1][2][3]

The milestone carried profound narrative weight, as it unfolded on the home court of Mabrey's former team. The Connecticut Sun had previously denied Mabrey's trade request before the 2025 season, leading to her eventual departure when the Toronto Tempo selected her in the first round of the 2026 WNBA expansion draft. Returning to Uncasville, Mabrey dismantled the defense that once relied on her as its secondary scorer.[5][6]

For much of the game, a Toronto victory appeared unlikely. Connecticut jumped out to a commanding 50-37 halftime lead, stretching their advantage to 16 points in the second half. The Tempo, already playing without All-Star guard Brittney Sykes due to a plantar fascia injury, struggled to find their rhythm against a desperate Sun squad looking to snap a lengthy losing skid.[2][3][4]

The momentum shifted entirely in the fourth quarter, which Mabrey commandeered with ruthless efficiency. She scored 21 of her 37 points in the final frame alone, shooting a flawless 5-for-5 from beyond the arc. Overall, she finished the night shooting 9-of-12 from 3-point range, adding four rebounds and four assists to her historic stat line.[1][2][3]

Toronto head coach Sandy Brondello was effusive in her praise, comparing Mabrey's fiery demeanor and shooting range to one of the greatest players in basketball history. "I looked like I was watching Diana Taurasi out there," Brondello remarked after the game. "I've seen her getting [Taurasi's] fire, and just how effortless it is, just how far she can shoot out, and the confidence that she has in it."[2]

Mabrey herself credited her patience and her teammates' ability to find her in transition. Acknowledging that opposing defenses are specifically geared to stop her, she noted the importance of timing her perimeter strikes. "I have to look for pockets where they relax, and then that's when I can attack," Mabrey explained, highlighting the tactical awareness required to execute at a record-tying level.[2]

While Mabrey's heroics dominated the headlines, Toronto's comeback was bolstered by crucial supporting performances. Center Temi Fagbenle was nearly perfect from the floor, shooting 8-for-9 to finish with 19 points and nine rebounds. Off the bench, Spanish wing Maria Conde matched her with a WNBA career-high 19 points, including 5-of-8 shooting from distance and several clutch free throws down the stretch.[2][3][4]

The victory serves as a defining moment for the expansion Tempo, who outscored the Sun 64-47 in the second half to secure the win. For Mabrey, the performance validates her transition from a highly effective role player to a true primary offensive engine capable of carrying a franchise. The Connecticut Sun, meanwhile, were led by Kennedy Burke's 18 points off the bench but suffered their seventh consecutive defeat, highlighting the offensive void left by Mabrey's departure.[3][4][5]