Connecticut Sun vs. Toronto Tempo Recap: Sun Win 95-81

The Connecticut Sun earned a 95-81 home win over the Toronto Tempo on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena, overcoming Kiki Rice’s game-high 28 points with a balanced effort led by Ashlon Jackson’s 18 points and Hailey Van Lith’s 12-point, nine-rebound, eight-assist line.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter: Connecticut Sun 23, Toronto Tempo 20

Connecticut established an early three-point edge in a competitive opening period. The Sun found enough efficient looks to take a 23-20 lead after 10 minutes, while Toronto stayed within reach behind its ability to get to the free-throw line.

Second Quarter: Toronto Tempo 16, Connecticut Sun 15

Toronto answered in the second quarter, holding Connecticut to 15 points and drawing even by halftime. The Tempo’s 16-15 advantage in the period left the game tied 38-38 at the break, setting up a decisive second half.

Third Quarter: Connecticut Sun 31, Toronto Tempo 21

The Sun took control after halftime with their strongest period of the night. Connecticut outscored Toronto 31-21 in the third, converting the halftime tie into a 69-59 lead. That 10-point swing became the central difference in the final result.

Fourth Quarter: Connecticut Sun 26, Toronto Tempo 24

Toronto continued to compete in the fourth and scored 24 points, but Connecticut matched the urgency with 26 points of its own. The Sun protected their advantage down the stretch and closed out the 14-point victory without overtime.

Key Performers

• Kiki Rice, Toronto Tempo: Rice led all scorers with 28 points and added eight rebounds in a high-impact individual performance.
• Ashlon Jackson, Connecticut Sun: Jackson paced Connecticut with 18 points as the Sun placed a team-high scorer at the center of a balanced attack.
• Hailey Van Lith, Connecticut Sun: Van Lith filled the box score with 12 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, finishing one rebound and two assists short of a triple-double.
• Isabelle Harrison, Toronto Tempo: Harrison led Toronto with 10 rebounds, helping the Tempo finish with a 40-36 advantage on the glass.
• Julie Allemand, Toronto Tempo: Allemand handed out a team-high five assists for Toronto.

NerdSports Stat: Connecticut made 12 more field goals than Toronto, 37 to 25, while Toronto made 12 more free throws, 26 to 14. The Sun still won by 14 because of their major advantage in shots converted from the field.

Game Analysis

Connecticut’s efficiency separated the teams. The Sun shot 50.0% from the field, making 37 of 74 attempts, compared with Toronto’s 33.8% shooting on the same number of attempts. Connecticut also created more assisted baskets, finishing with 19 assists to Toronto’s 13.

The Tempo held two meaningful statistical edges: rebounds, 40-36, and free throws made, 26-14. But Toronto’s perimeter shooting proved difficult to overcome. The Tempo made 5 of 29 three-point attempts, while Connecticut went 7-for-22 from beyond the arc. The Sun’s 31-point third quarter paired timely scoring with the defensive results needed to build a double-digit cushion.

Van Lith’s all-around production gave Connecticut a steady organizing presence. Jackson supplied the scoring lead, and the Sun’s collective 37 made field goals allowed them to offset Toronto’s success at the stripe. Rice provided a standout scoring performance for the Tempo, but Connecticut’s stronger overall shooting profile decided the game.

Closing Context

The win left Connecticut listed at 11-33 overall in the supplied game data, while Toronto was also listed at 11-33. Connecticut improved its home result with an 8-14 home mark, and Toronto’s road mark stood at 4-18. No conference placement or season-series information was provided, but the Sun’s third-quarter separation delivered the key result in this matchup.

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