Temple University Athletics
Temple Women Topple Conference Leader George Washington
2.9.01 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA - In what is easily the biggest win of the Dawn Staley era, the Temple women's basketball team (14-7, 7-3) defeated George Washington (16-8, 10-2) 69-62 at the Liacouras Center on February 9.
Senior guard Natalia Isaac led Temple with a career-high tying 22 points including 14 of 14 from the free throw line. The Owls also had a gutsy performance from junior forward Athena Christoforakis (13 points, nine rebounds) who battled a shoulder injury for the entire second half but managed to hit some key buckets down the stretch. Senior forward Ieesha Turnage (11) also scored in double figures for the Owls.
Erica Lawrence led George Washington is scoring with 17 points. Elena Vishniakova (14) and Ugo Oha (12) also scored in double figures for the Colonials.
The game, which was a battle throughout, was tied at halftime 25-25 despite the fact that Temple shot just 33.3 percent. In the second half George Washington led by as many as seven points but Temple, who shot 52.4 percent from the field and 83 percent (19-23) from the free throw line took control in the closing moments to seal the victory.
The win moves the Owls to within a game of now second place George Washington in the Atlantic 10 standings and just two games behind Xavier, who takes over sole possession of first place.
Next up for Temple, St. Bonaventure comes to town Sunday, February 9 at 2:00 p.m. In between coach Staley dons her player's hat and participates in "Two-Ball" at the NBA's All-Star weekend on Saturday February 10.
