Marina Mabrey’s 53 points in Tempo win ties WNBA record

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The grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition have been the site of many historic sporting achievements over the years.

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There have been Grey Cup games, the first Blue Jays games (and first AL East championship), various Toronto FC triumphs, and more.

The events on the CNE grounds in June 2026 have turned out to be a large addition to that list.

On June 12, the Canadian men’s soccer team played a home game in the FIFA World Cup for the first time, earning a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium (which we can refer to as BMO Field again starting on July 3).

On June 19, the Toronto Marlies, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Maple Leafs, won the Calder Cup for the second time in club history, defeating the Chicago Wolves 4-3 at Coca-Cola Coliseum to claim the AHL championship.

And on Thursday night at Coca-Cola Coliseum, Marina Mabrey, and her Toronto Tempo teammates, joined the party.

Mabrey scored 53 points in the Tempo’s 125-97 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Sparks. Mabrey’s 53-point game tied the WNBA record for most points by one player in a game, previously done by Liz Cambage in 2018 and A’ja Wilson in 2023.

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‘A dream come true’

“To do it in the WNBA is kind of like a dream come true,” Mabrey said in an on-court interview after the game. “To have teammates that support me and just, like, looking for me everywhere, wanting me to do my best, shoutout to them. And shoutout to (Tempo head coach) Sandy (Brondello) for getting me an offence where I can really thrive.”

Mabrey’s nine three-point baskets also tied a single-game WNBA record.

“For a three-point shooter, you need your teammates to set screens and deliver the pass, and that’s what they did,” Mabrey said.

Mabrey has had to carry much of the offensive load for the Tempo because of injuries which have kept guard Brittney Sykes and rookie guard Kiki Rice out of action.

The Tempo’s 125 points set a WNBA record for the most points by one team in a game which didn’t go into overtime.

The Tempo (9-9) returns to action on Saturday afternoon against the Phoenix Mercury. Since it will be the first of three games the Tempo plays at Scotiabank Arena this season, there won’t be more CNE history made at that contest.

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