Toronto Tempo set WNBA free throw record in decisive 93-72 victory over Seattle Storm
The Tempo’s 31 consecutive successful free throw attempts establish a new league benchmark, while Seattle struggles with perimeter accuracy and turnover management in the second meeting of the season.
The Toronto Tempo secured a commanding 93-72 victory over the Seattle Storm on Saturday, establishing a new WNBA record for consecutive successful free throw attempts. The Tempo converted their first 31 attempts from the line before Teonni Key missed back-to-back shots with 58 seconds remaining, finishing the game 31 of 33 from the charity stripe for a 94 per cent success rate. This statistical milestone underscores the team’s disciplined approach to governance on the court, contrasting sharply with Seattle’s inability to draw consistent contact or convert at the line.
Marina Mabrey led the offensive charge for Toronto with 18 points, providing stability to the Tempo’s scoring structure. Rookie Kiki Rice contributed 17 points, with 13 of those coming in the second half, alongside a season-high four steals that disrupted Seattle’s offensive rhythm. Brittney Sykes added 15 points in a matchup against her former club, while rookie Laura Juskaite scored 14 points, including a career-high four three-pointers. Maria Conde also reached double figures with 13 points, marking her second consecutive game doing so.
The turning point in the contest occurred in the third quarter when Katie Lou Samuelson tied the game at 51-all with 3:50 remaining. However, the Tempo capitalized on Seattle’s subsequent three turnovers to spark a 19-5 run over the next three-plus minutes, effectively breaking the game open and demonstrating superior tactical execution under pressure.
Seattle’s performance was hampered by significant inefficiencies, particularly from beyond the arc. The Storm shot just 7 of 27 (26 per cent) from three-point range and attempted only eight free throws, making seven. Natisha Hiedeman led Seattle with 18 points, and Jordan Horston added a season-high 15, but the team’s overall offensive output was insufficient to overcome Toronto’s structured dominance.
The result improves Toronto’s record to 5-4, while Seattle’s record falls to 3-5. This victory marks the second meeting between the franchises this season; Toronto previously won 86-73 on May 13, securing the first win in franchise history. Meanwhile, Seattle continues to manage roster constraints, with Dominique Malonga missing his sixth consecutive game due to concussion protocol.
