Mystics Edge Tempo 68-65 in WNBA Home Debut

Toronto Tempo's inaugural WNBA home game ended in a narrow defeat as the Washington Mystics rallied to win 68-65 on Friday night at a sold-out Coca-Cola Coliseum.

The expansion Tempo, playing their first regular-season game, nearly pulled off an upset in the season opener for both teams. Brittney Sykes scored the franchise's first basket on a pull-up jumper in the first quarter and finished with 14 points. Marina Mabrey led all scorers with 27 points and seven rebounds, including a 3-pointer with 4:19 left in the fourth quarter that gave Toronto a 57-56 lead, its first of the second half. With 32 seconds remaining, Mabrey sank two free throws to put the Tempo ahead by one.

Those hopes faded quickly. Mystics center Shakira Austin was fouled twice in the final seconds and calmly made all four free throws to secure the victory. Austin posted 18 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double, while teammate Kiki Iriafen added 12 points and 16 rebounds, also achieving the feat.

Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello, who has spent 27 of the WNBA's 30 years as a player or coach, called the contest "a very ugly game" marked by clunkiness down the stretch. "Sad that we didn't win the game, didn't...