TEMPLE WOMEN CLOSE OUT REGULAR SEASON WITH A WIN OVER LA SALLE

PHILADELPHIA - The Temple women's basketball team (17-10, 12-4) celebrated "Senior Day" with a 71-61 win over La Salle (6-21, 2-14) on February 24 at the Liacouras Center. The win gives the Owls the Big Five city series crown and clinches the top spot in the Atlantic 10 East Division heading into the Verizon Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship, March 1-4. La Salle, which led by as many as 16 points in the first half, held a six-point edge at the intermission. In the second half, Temple turned up the defensive pressure and took control of the game down the stretch. The Owls won the rebounding (48-40), turnover (9-15) and steals (10-5) battles to help seal the victory.

"We hope to take the regular season momentum into the post season," said Temple coach Dawn Staley. "We have a few things to work on before the (Atlantic 10) tournament like shooting, defense and the mental aspects of the game," she added.

Junior guard Stacey Smalls led Temple with a game-high 21 points on 7-11 (64 percent) shooting including 4-7 (57 percent) from three-point range. Christena Hamilton (14) and Natalia Isaac (10) were the other double-figure scorers for the Owls. Athena Christoforakis led all rebounders with 13 boards to go along with nine points, two assists and four steals. Hamilton added seven rebounds for Temple.

Kathleen Foley led La Salle with 17 points. Suzanne Keilty (14) was the only other Explorer in double-figures. Beth Hudak topped La Salle in rebounding with eight boards.

Temple University Athletics

TEMPLE WOMEN CLOSE OUT REGULAR SEASON WITH A WIN OVER LA SALLE

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