Tempo feel effect of injuries to key players, late scratch of Mabrey in loss

In a game that saw the lead change 11 times, the Tempo went into the fourth quarter with a one-point lead, but ran out of gas.

Brondello acknowledged that with injuries to other key starters – star Brittney Sykes and heralded rookie guard Kiki Rice — the Tempo were dealing with some fatigue in the fourth quarter.

However, they don’t play again until July 5 when they host the Dallas Wings back at Coca-Cola Coliseum.

“You take these opportunities when you can,” said Brondello, of the break. “(We have to) freshen up, mentally, physically and then come back and be ready.”

Shooting guard Tima Pouye came off the bench for Toronto and gave her team a nice shot in the arm, scoring 13 points with four assists, a steal and two rebounds.

While the Tempo (9-10) dropped to below .500 with the loss, the team played hard to the end and shared the ball well with 26 assists on 31 field goal makes. All five starters recorded double-digit points in the loss.

Some of the Toronto players expressed disappointment that they weren’t able to get a victory over a struggling Mercury team (7-13) in front of a loud and enthusiastic crowd of 15,687 at Scotiabank Arena.

Guard Julie Allemand picked up a double-double with 11 points and 10 assists and also had seven boards for the Tempo.

“She does an amazing job. She had the double-double, but she’s playing defence as well and she’s the ultimate competitor,” said Brondello of Allemand. “She gave everything she had tonight.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2026.

Steve Buffery, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Tempo feel effect of injuries to key players, late scratch of Mabrey in loss

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