Temple University Athletics
Owls Edge Iona in "Ugly" Game
12.27.00 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA - "It was an ugly game, but we'll take the win," said Temple women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley after Temple (7-2) survived a battle with Iona (3-7) 70-67.
The Owls had to scratch and claw in the game with the pesky Gaels throughout the contest as the home team shot just 32.9 percent from the field while the visitors shot 45.8 percent.
Junior center Lisa Jakubowicz led Temple with a season-high 20 points and tied a career-high with 17 rebounds. Sophomore guard Stacey Smalls (13) and first year sophomore Christine Cruz (10) also scored in double figures for the Owls. Ironically it was the defensive play of those three players and the rest of the team down the stretch that helped seal the win for Temple. With the game tied at 63, Cruz grabbed one of her four steals and scored on a layup. Jakubowicz then collected one of her four steals and made two free throws to stretch the lead to four. Temple never looked back. As a team the Owls forced 26 turnovers and committed just 14 and they also won the steals battle 17-7.
The Gaels were led by Megan Cobb and Michelle Fahy with 17 points apiece. Karen Culbertson (15) also scored in double figures for Iona.
Temple was playing its first home game in more than a month on a night when fans flocked to have their picture taken with one of Dawn Staley's Olympic gold medals. However the Owls won't be home for long. In fact, Temple plays its next four games on the road before returning to the Liacouras Center on January 14 to face Fordham.
