Temple University Athletics
Temple Earns First Big 5 Victory with Win Over Penn 80-64
12.9.00 | Women's Basketball
Philadelphia, Pa. - The Temple women's basketball team raised its record to 4-1 with a 80-64 victory over the University of Pennsylvania on December 2 in the first game of a Big 5 city series doubleheader at St. Joseph's Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse. The win marks the first Big 5 triumph for the Owls this season and the first for Temple head coach Dawn Staley.
Sophomore guard Stacey Smalls led Temple at both ends of the floor as she tallied 14 points and a career-high seven steals. First year sophomore Christine Cruz (10 points, eight rebounds, four steals) also reached double figures in the scoring column and had a solid all-around game.
As a team, the Owls won the rebound (44-42), turnover (Temple 16, Penn 27) and steals (21-7) battles en route to the victory. Temple's defense took control of the game from the outset as the cherry and white raced out to a 32-20 halftime lead. Penn's 20 first half points represented its lowest first half total on the season. In the second half Temple pushed to the lead to as many as 21 points as the defensive pressure led to easy offensive opportunities.
Penn was led by Diana Caramanico with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Jewel Clark (16) and Erin Ladley (11) also scored in double figures for the Quakers.
Next up for the Owls, another road game at Fairleigh Dickinson on Tuesday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m.
