Tempo lose to Sun in season finale, improving odds for No. 1 draft pick
Connecticut and Toronto each finished with 11-33 records and await the WNBA Draft lottery.
As the Connecticut Sun concluded their final season before relocating to Houston, they secured a 95-81 victory over the Toronto Tempo on Thursday night. Fans, adorned in the team's signature orange, attended the season finale in Mohegan Sun Arena. Former UConn stars Nykesha Sales and Rebecca Lobo were honored as season ticket holders.
Aaliyah Edwards contributed 14 points in the first half to put the Sun ahead 38-36 at halftime. The team gained momentum in the third quarter, leading to a six-game winless streak being broken. Blaze, the Sun's mascot, amused the crowd with a half-court shot before the game's start. The final moments saw all five players on the court hugging, while the rest of the team raised their arms in celebration.
Jennifer Rizzotti, former UConn star and WNBA President, thanked the crowd, praising their dedication over the past 24 years. The Sun's general manager, Morgan Tuck, reflected on the team's impact, emphasizing that the end of the season does not signify the end of the players' endeavors. The franchise previously reached the WNBA Finals in 2004 and 2017, both times falling short.
The Sun's first win was against the Houston Comets in 2003. The Arena hosted the WNBA All-Star Game four times in the past decade. Starting next season, the Sun will be renamed the Comets. This challenging season saw five players as rookies, with Connecticut and Toronto concluding the season with an 11-33 record, awaiting the WNBA Draft lottery. Coach Rachid Meziane urged her team to cherish the legacy left behind.
Written by urgent.news from CityNews's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
