Marina Mabrey Ties WNBA Record With Nine 3-Pointers in Toronto Tempo Comeback Win

Marina Mabrey delivered a historic shooting performance 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. The spectacular display of perimeter shooting cemented a new career-high of 37 points for the veteran guard and provided a signature moment for the league's newest franchise. Playing in front of an energized crowd, Mabrey showcased the elite scoring ability that has made her a focal point of the Tempo's inaugural season offense. Her record-tying barrage from beyond the arc not only electrified the arena but also served as the catalyst for a massive second-half turnaround that erased a daunting double-digit deficit.[1][2]

The record-tying night did not initially look like it would end in a milestone celebration for the home team. Trailing by as many as 16 points in the second quarter, the injury-depleted Tempo looked severely overmatched early against a highly physical Connecticut frontcourt. The Sun dominated the paint throughout the first half, using their significant size advantage to control the rebounding glass and generate high-percentage looks near the basket. Connecticut's interior dominance was spearheaded by veteran center Brittney Griner and forward Kennedy Burke, who consistently found gaps in Toronto's interior defense. Griner's emphatic putback layup capped a devastating 14-0 run late in the second quarter, giving the Sun a commanding 16-point advantage and threatening to turn the game into a blowout.[5]

By the time the halftime buzzer sounded, Connecticut had built a comfortable 50-37 lead, fueled entirely by a massive 28-10 advantage in points in the paint. The Sun appeared to be cruising toward a desperately needed victory to snap their ongoing losing streak. However, the second half belonged entirely to Mabrey and the resilient Toronto roster. Emerging from the locker room with renewed urgency and a clear adjustment in offensive strategy, the Tempo began methodically chipping away at the deficit. Toronto outscored Connecticut 64-47 over the final two quarters, shifting the game's momentum by increasing their defensive pressure, forcing turnovers, and aggressively hunting for open looks on the perimeter to counter the Sun's interior size.[3][5]

Mabrey saved her absolute best basketball for the final frame, erupting for an astonishing 21 of her 37 points in the fourth quarter alone. She shot a blistering 9-of-12 from beyond the arc for the game, showcasing a lethal combination of deep range, relentless off-ball movement, and a lightning-quick release that the Sun defense simply could not contain. The Tempo coaching staff intentionally ran off-ball screens to free Mabrey up, and she capitalized on nearly every opportunity. Whether pulling up in transition or catching and shooting off precise baseline action, Mabrey found a rhythm that completely dismantled Connecticut's perimeter defensive rotations and whipped the Toronto crowd into a frenzy.[2][3]

The climax of the evening arrived in the tense closing minutes of the fourth quarter. With the game hanging in the balance and the Sun desperately clinging to a shrinking lead, Mabrey hit a crucial driving layup to put Toronto in front by one point with just over three minutes remaining. Then, with exactly 1:03 left on the clock, she drained her ninth three-pointer of the night. The clutch shot gave the Tempo a critical four-point cushion and officially etched her name in the WNBA record books, tying the all-time single-game mark for made threes. The historic shot effectively sealed the victory and completed one of the most impressive individual quarters in recent league history.[5]

While Mabrey was the undisputed star of the comeback, she relied heavily on crucial contributions from a resilient supporting cast. Temi Fagbenle and Maria Conde each contributed 19 points for Toronto, providing vital secondary scoring for a roster currently dealing with multiple key injuries. Fagbenle was remarkably efficient, shooting 8-for-9 from the floor while pulling down nine rebounds to help neutralize Connecticut's size advantage in the second half. Isabelle Harrison also chipped in 15 points, hitting early three-pointers that helped keep the Tempo afloat during the Sun's dominant first-half runs. The balanced secondary scoring ensured that Connecticut could not simply double-team Mabrey down the stretch.[2][5]

For the Connecticut Sun, the heartbreaking loss marks a deeply frustrating continuation of a severe mid-season slump. Despite 18 points from Burke off the bench and 16 apiece from Griner and Leila Lacan, the Sun surrendered a double-digit lead for the second time this season against this exact Toronto squad. The defensive collapse on the perimeter extends their current losing streak to seven consecutive games, dropping their overall record to a dismal 2-15. Post-game analysis heavily criticized the Sun's inability to adjust their defensive schemes to deny Mabrey the ball in the fourth quarter, highlighting a recurring lack of late-game execution that has plagued the franchise throughout the summer.[4]

The thrilling victory, meanwhile, snaps a three-game skid for the expansion Tempo, bringing their inaugural season record to a highly respectable 8-8. As the franchise continues to establish its identity, build a loyal fanbase in Toronto, and prove it belongs in the highly competitive WNBA landscape, Mabrey's record-tying night will stand as an early landmark moment. It serves as definitive proof that the new team possesses the elite offensive firepower required to compete with anyone in the league when the shots are falling, providing a massive confidence boost as they prepare for the second half of their historic first season.[3][5]