TEMPLE WOMEN TURN ON THE "D" TO BEAT RHODE ISLAND

PHILADELPHIA - The Temple women's basketball team (15-10, 10-4) turned up its trademark defensive pressure to help win a game over visiting Rhode Island (14-11, 7-7) 66-51 on February 17 at the Liacouras Center. Things didn't start well for the Owls who trailed the Rams at halftime 30-24. In the opening moments of the second stanza, Temple got defensive and used a full-court press, which keyed a 15-2 run to put the Owls on top 39-32. Rhode Island would never get closer than six points as Temple put the game away down the stretch.

"Our defense is our key," said junior guard Stacey Smalls. "We are not going to shoot 70 percent from the floor, so we have to rely on our defense to win games. Today, we took what the defense gave us," she added.

"That's how we raise our shooting percentage," echoed Temple coach Dawn Staley. "Our defense creates opportunities for us to get easy baskets," she continued.

Senior forward Athena Christoforakis led Temple with 22 points and 10 rebounds, both game highs. Christoforakis also had three assists and a blocked shot. Smalls (14) was the only other Owl to record double figures in scoring. Smalls was also Temple's second leading rebounder with seven boards. Natalia Isaac dished out a game-high seven assists while netting five points in the win.

Hilary Goodrich led Rhode Island with 13 points. Denise King (11) and Yatar Kuyateh (10) were the other double figure scorers for the Rams. Kuyateh was also Rhode Island's top rebounder with nine boards.

Next up for Temple, a road trip to the Bronx, N.Y. to face the Fordham Rams on Friday, February 22. Game time is 7:00 p.m.

Temple University Athletics

TEMPLE WOMEN TURN ON THE "D" TO BEAT RHODE ISLAND

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