In a night marked by missed opportunities and frustration, the Toronto Tempo succumbed to the Atlanta Dream, suffering a 111-92 defeat at the Coca-Cola Coliseum on Friday. With a crowd of 8,210 in attendance, head coach Sandy Brondello expressed her dissatisfaction not only with the officiating but also with her team’s performance, particularly their inability to manage the ball effectively.
Turnovers Prove Costly
The Tempo (10-15) struggled significantly with ball control, racking up 20 turnovers that allowed the Dream to score 29 points off those mistakes. This defeat marks the sixth loss in Toronto’s last seven games, raising alarm bells for a squad that has battled inconsistency throughout the season.
“You can’t turn the ball over 20 times and let them score,” Brondello lamented after the game. “We knew that was one of their strengths. We need to be tougher and simply better.”
Despite a competitive first half where the Tempo trailed by only one point at 48-47, their performance faltered dramatically in the third quarter. Brondello noted that her players seemed mentally affected by a series of questionable calls from the officiating crew, which included Tiara Cruse, Toni Patillo, and Sarah Williams.
Emotional Turmoil on the Court
Brondello highlighted the need for her team to maintain composure, acknowledging that emotions can run high during games. “Look, I know we’re our own worst enemy at times,” she said. “We’ve got to stay less emotional. I understand why they’re emotional; it’s about getting consistency from the officials.”
Toronto managed to reach the free-throw line 25 times, an effort that could have been amplified according to Brondello, who felt her players were frequently fouled, particularly star Marina Mabrey. “I think Marina had people with their hands on her all night. But no fouls were called,” Brondello remarked.
A Glimmer of Hope
Amid the turmoil, there was a silver lining for the Tempo in Mabrey’s standout performance. After struggling to score just eight points against the Washington Mystics in her previous outing, she bounced back with an impressive 26 points, showcasing her scoring prowess and tenacity.
However, the game did see a worrying incident involving forward Nyara Sabally, who left the floor following a heavy collision with Dream centre Angel Reese. “That was a hard hit,” Brondello said. “She’s not feeling great at the moment. She hurt her ribs, so we don’t know what that is at the moment. Hopefully, it’s not too serious.”
Returning to the lineup was centre Temi Fagbenie, who had missed 12 games due to a right shoulder injury and concussion. Unfortunately, her performance reflected her time away from the court as she struggled to find her rhythm.
Injury Woes Continue for Toronto
The injury crisis plaguing the Tempo continues, with key players Brittney Sykes (left foot) and Kiki Rice (left ankle) still sidelined. The toll of injuries has been a significant factor in Toronto’s recent slump, leaving the team scrambling for stability as they navigate the latter part of the season.
Why it Matters
The Tempo’s loss to the Dream is more than just a scoreline; it underscores the ongoing struggles of a team grappling with injuries and inconsistency. As they attempt to regroup and find their footing, the issues highlighted by Brondello regarding turnovers and emotional control will need to be addressed if Toronto hopes to salvage their season. With crucial games ahead, every performance counts in their pursuit of a playoff spot, making it imperative for the team to learn from this setback and evolve.