Sykes led all scorers with 38 points, shooting 11-for-20 from the field, 3-for-6 from 3-point range and 13-for-13 at the free-throw line. Marina Mabrey added 21 points, including four made 3-pointers, while Laura Juskaite gave Tempo 19 points, six rebounds and four steals.
Tempo needed that production to get past a Connecticut team that had multiple strong individual performances. Aaliyah Edwards scored 24 points on 8-for-9 shooting, and Leila Lacan matched her with 24 points and seven assists. Saniya Rivers added 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Olivia Nelson-Ododa finished with nine points and 13 rebounds.
Connecticut shot 46 percent from the field and held a 42-28 rebounding advantage, including 18 offensive rebounds. But the Sun also committed 18 turnovers, compared with 11 for Tempo.
Free throws were another major separator. Tempo went 36-for-43 at the line, while Connecticut finished 25-for-37. Tempo also recorded 12 steals, with Sykes, Mabrey, Julie Allemand and Juskaite all contributing multiple steals.
Key Stats:
- Brittney Sykes: 38 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 13-for-13 free throws
- Marina Mabrey: 21 points, 4 made 3-pointers, 3 steals
- Laura Juskaite: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals
- Aaliyah Edwards: 24 points on 8-for-9 shooting
- Leila Lacan: 24 points, 7 assists
- Connecticut: 42 rebounds, 18 offensive rebounds
- Tempo: 36-for-43 free throws, 12 steals, 11 turnovers
