Temple University Athletics
Owls Shoot Down Bonnies For First Conference Win
1.6.01 | Women's Basketball
Olean, N.Y. (January 5) - For the Temple women's basketball team (8-3, 1-0) the formula has been the same this season; defensive pressure leads to offensive opportunities. The Owls have in fact feasted off of their defense all season while their offense has had its problems. In Temple's first Atlantic 10 Conference game against St. Bonaventure (4-8, 0-1) the offense came to life and the Owls came away with a victory 84-74 on January 5.
Temple actually shot better from three point range (42.9 percent) than it has all season as the Owls made 12 triples in the game. The Cherry and White led by as many as 28 points in the contest before the Bonnies went on a 26-8 run in the closing minutes to make the final 10 point margin.
Regan Apo (14), Christine Cruz (14), Natalia Isaac (14) and Stacey Smalls (10) were the double figure scorers for the Owls. Lisa Jakubowicz led Temple in rebounding with 10 boards. Cruz also helped out on the defensive end with a game-high five steals as the Owls won the steals battle 18-6.
While pleased to come away with a victory in the Atlantic 10 opener, coach Staley would have been a lot happier if her team had maintained its intensity for the full forty minutes. The Owls will learn from this win. Their coach will make sure of it.
Two more road games remain for Temple on the current trip away from the nest as a conference showdown with Dayton (Jan. 9 at 7:00 p.m.) and a battle with North Carolina State of the ACC (Jan. 11 at 7:00 p.m.) are next on the schedule.
