Marina Mabrey Ties WNBA 3-Point Record With 37 Points in Tempo Comeback

Marina Mabrey delivered a historic shooting masterclass on Friday night, tying the WNBA single-game record with nine 3-pointers to lead the expansion Toronto Tempo to a thrilling 101-97 comeback victory over the Connecticut Sun.[1][3]

The Tempo guard poured in a career-high 37 points, shooting an incredibly efficient 9-of-12 from beyond the arc. Her performance was the catalyst for a massive second-half turnaround, as Toronto erased a 16-point deficit to stun the Sun on their home court in Uncasville.[3][4]

Toronto entered the game facing significant adversity. The team recently lost All-Star guard Brittney Sykes to a plantar fascia injury, forcing head coach Sandy Brondello to adjust the rotation and lean more heavily on Mabrey for offensive production. In the first half, the Tempo struggled to find their rhythm, falling behind 50-37 as Connecticut controlled the pace.[2][3]

The momentum shifted dramatically after the break. Toronto outscored Connecticut 64-47 in the second half, fueled by Mabrey's absolute takeover in the fourth quarter. She scored 21 points in the final frame alone, going a perfect 5-for-5 from three-point range to systematically dismantle the Sun's defense.[2][4]

Mabrey explained her approach during the late-game surge, noting that she remained locked in despite facing defensive schemes specifically designed to stop her. "I have to look for pockets where they relax, and then that's when I can attack," she said, crediting her teammates for recognizing those moments and allowing her to go "a little bit rogue" to find her shots.[2]

With her ninth three-pointer, Mabrey joined an exclusive club of WNBA sharpshooters. The single-game record of nine made threes is now shared by six players: Kelsey Mitchell (2019), Jewell Loyd (2023), Arike Ogunbowale (2024), Rhyne Howard (2025), Chelsea Gray—who achieved the feat just a week prior on June 12—and now Mabrey.[5][6]

Coach Sandy Brondello was effusive in her praise, comparing Mabrey's effortless shooting stroke and fiery demeanor to WNBA legend Diana Taurasi, whom Brondello coached to a championship in 2014. "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," Brondello remarked.[2]

While Mabrey was the undisputed star of the night, the Tempo received crucial contributions from their supporting cast. Center Temi Fagbenle, still playing on a minutes restriction due to a shoulder sprain, was nearly flawless from the floor, shooting 8-of-9 to finish with 19 points and nine rebounds. Spanish wing Maria Conde also provided a massive spark off the bench, tallying a WNBA career-high 19 points and hitting clutch free throws down the stretch.[2][4]

For the Connecticut Sun, the collapse extended a frustrating slide. Despite 18 bench points from Kennedy Burke and 16 points apiece from Leila Lacan and Brittney Griner, the Sun were unable to contain Toronto's perimeter barrage. The defeat marked Connecticut's seventh consecutive loss, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities that the team has struggled to patch in recent weeks.[3][4]

The victory stands as a landmark moment for the expansion Toronto Tempo. Overcoming a double-digit deficit on the road without a key All-Star demonstrates a level of grit and offensive capability that bodes well for the franchise's inaugural season, while cementing Mabrey's status as one of the league's premier perimeter threats.[2][7]