Toronto Tempo head into WNBA's all-star break with 109-83 loss to Las Vegas Aces

The Toronto Tempo are looking forward to a mental and physical rest period over the WNBA's all-star break — so they can be ready to attack the season's second half.

The expansion franchise dropped a 109-83 decision to the Las Vegas Aces (18-7) at Coca-Cola Coliseum on Monday night. Toronto (10-16) enters the break having lost three straight and seven of their last eight games overall.

It's been an eventful opening half for Canada's first WNBA team. The Tempo have enjoyed memorable moments, including Marina Mabrey's WNBA record-tying 53 point-performance against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 25 and setting a league attendance record at Montreal's Bell Centre earlier this month.

But Toronto has also been hampered by key injuries, all while experiencing the growing pains expected of an expansion team. The break will be a moment to reset, said Tempo centre Isabelle Harrison.

"We have people in and out, injuries left and right," said Harrison, who scored a career-high 26 points in the loss. "So, really resting, but coming in and having the mindset of just being tough.

"I can live with a lot of different things that might not go well. But we just have to be tougher and be ready to face these teams that we have coming up after the break."

Tempo coach Sandy Brondello suspended 1 game for inappropriate comment about Angel Reese

On Monday, the Tempo also faced a new challenge. Head coach Sandy Brondello wasn't on the bench as she served a one-game suspension handed down by the league for an "inappropriate" comment she made about Atlanta star Angel Reese during the Dream's 111- 92 win Friday.

It happened when Tempo centre, Nyara Sabally fouled Reese after an offensive rebound. While the call was reviewed, microphones picked up