Historic Scoring Night for Marina Mabrey
In a performance that etched her name into the WNBA record books, Marina Mabrey of the Toronto Tempo achieved a remarkable feat on Thursday night. She poured in 53 points, tying the league’s single-game scoring record, in a commanding 125-94 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks. This marks the third instance in WNBA history that a player has reached this extraordinary scoring milestone, with A’ja Wilson and Liz Cambage being the only others to accomplish it previously.
Tempo’s Record-Breaking Offensive Outburst
Mabrey’s offensive explosion was not the only highlight of the night. Her nine successful three-pointers were instrumental in the Tempo setting a new WNBA record for the highest point total scored in a regulation game. While the Phoenix Mercury scored 127 points in a 2010 game, that contest went into double overtime.
A Game of Unstoppable Momentum
From the outset, Mabrey demonstrated she was in exceptional form, amassing 27 points by halftime. She continued her onslaught, adding another 12 points by the close of the third quarter, bringing her total to an impressive 39. As the Tempo established a significant lead, the focus shifted to Mabrey’s pursuit of a new scoring record, with her teammates actively seeking her out.
The crowd was on its feet as Mabrey repeatedly found the bottom of the net from beyond the arc, ultimately reaching the 53-point mark. With approximately two minutes remaining, she had an opportunity to claim the record outright. However, her final two three-point attempts did not fall, and she was substituted out of the game with just over a minute left.
Family Support and Team Gratitude
The arena erupted in a standing ovation as Mabrey exited, her teammates congratulating her on a night that will be remembered. Adding a personal touch to the historic occasion was the presence of Mabrey’s sister, Michaela, who also had a notable basketball career and was in attendance. Following the final buzzer, Michaela rushed the court to embrace her sister, a poignant moment for the Mabrey family. Marina Mabrey acknowledged the significance of her sister’s presence, noting that Michaela does not often have the chance to witness her play.
Speaking after the game, Marina Mabrey emphasized the collective effort behind her record-tying performance. “None of this happens without my teammates. They really found me,” she stated. “For a three-point shooter, you need your teammates to set screens and deliver the pass, and that’s what they did.”
Inaugural Season Success for the Tempo
This season marks the inaugural campaign for the Tempo, an expansion franchise that assembled its roster through an expansion draft. Mabrey has quickly become a cornerstone of the team’s early success. Just last week, she set the franchise’s previous single-game scoring record with 37 points, a mark that has now been significantly surpassed.
Mabrey’s final statistics for the game were outstanding: 17-of-28 shooting from the field, including an impressive 9-of-18 from three-point range, to compile her 53 points. She also contributed six rebounds and two assists to the Tempo’s decisive victory.
