Tempo vs. Liberty: WNBA lottery hopes, Wi-Fi on the fritz and more from Toronto’s home season finale - Toronto Star
Fan appreciation day drew a sellout crowd of 8,210 at Coca-Cola Coliseum on Sunday.
Toronto Tempo members show appreciation at Sunday’s final home game, ending a season of sellouts at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
The Toronto Tempo played their last home game of the season Sunday and lost 106-69 to the New York Liberty. Here are five things we learned:
A bright spot in the Tempo’s sixth straight loss was the play of rookie forward Laura Juskaite, who surpassed her career high of 25 points in three quarters against the Liberty. She finished with 28 points on 10-for-15 shooting from the field and has scored in double digits in 14 of the last 16 games.
“She holds herself to high standards,” said Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello. “It’s been great to see her evolution this year and it’s pretty exciting.”
Fan appreciation day drew a sellout crowd of 8,210. According to Tempo PR, they sold out all home dates at Coca-Cola Coliseum. The Tempo also set a WNBA regular-season single-game record in July, when 20,996 took in a game against the Dallas Wings in Montreal.
Sunday’s attendees received T-shirts. A video tribute dedicated to fans was also played near the end of the game, and star guard Brittney Sykes gave a speech thanking supporters.
“Our fan base is incredible,” said Tempo rookie Kiki Rice. “Not only here, but in Montreal and Vancouver, all across Canada, we feel the love, we feel the energy. And I think, you know, this is definitely one of the best environments … They cheer, they show up every single (game) and it’s really, really appreciated.”
All-star Marina Mabrey went public this season about her Wi-Fi issues with Rogers. Bell and Telus have since made a play to help.
Now Rice is having trouble connecting at home.
“I wasn’t able to watch any football game yesterday, watch any TV,” Rice said Sunday. “It just stopped working. It says it’s connected, but Wi-Fi doesn’t work.”
The Tempo are touting Mabrey for most improved player and Rice for the all-rookie team. The deadline for voting by media members is Friday.
Mabrey appeared in her first WNBA all-star game, tied the league record with 53 points against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 25, and led the expansion Tempo in scoring with 20.8 points per game, up from 14.4 last season with the Connecticut Sun.
“It’s been fun to watch, it’s been fun to coach her and just put her in spots where she can have success,” said Brondello.
The 22-year-old Rice missed almost two months after a left ankle injury in early June, but has shown why the Tempo consider her a cornerstone for the future. She has scored in double digits in 11 straight games, including 19 points with five assists against the Liberty.
“To be out two months and then get back to playing like she did ... it’s pretty special,” said Brondello. “Without the injury it’s a no-brainer.”
With two games left, the Tempo could still improve their chances for the No. 1 pick in next year’s draft.
Toronto has the second-worst record in the WNBA, and the second-best odds would offer a 24 per cent shot. But the lottery is based on cumulative records for the past two seasons, so the team with the worst two-year win percentage will have the best chance. The expansion Tempo only have this season’s 11-31 record (.262) and are one game better than the Connecticut Sun (.244 over two years). The Tempo and Sun face off Thursday to close out the regular season.
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Libaan Osman is a Toronto-based general assignment reporter for the Star's city team. Reach him via email: losman@thestar.ca.
