Temple University Athletics
OWLS WOMEN WIN FIRST EVER ATLANTIC 10 CHAMPIONSHIP
3.4.02 | Women's Basketball
The game was a classic battle between Big 5 schools. The Owls grabbed the early lead in the first half and held a comfortable 36-23 cushion at intermission. In the second half, the Hawks staged a methodical comeback and took a 54-53 lead with just under three minutes remaining. Down the stretch, Temple hit some clutch shots and made enough of its free throws to outscore Saint Joseph's 10-5 to seal the win.
Senior forward Athena Christoforakis led Temple with a game-high 19 points and 15 rebounds. Fellow seniors Natalia Isaac (16) and Lisa Jakubowicz (14) were the other double figure scorers for the Owls. Jakubowicz added 10 rebounds to her stat line to give Temple double-doubles from each of its low-post players. The Owls won the steals battle 11-5, pressured the Hawks into 18 turnovers and outrebounded Saint Joseph's 42-26.
Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, Susan Moran led the Hawks with 14 points. Jane Meade (12), Stephanie Graff (11) and Amy Snell (10) also scored in double figures for Saint Joseph's.
Jakubowicz and point guard Stacey Smalls were named to the All-Championship team and Smalls was also named the Most Outstanding Player of the championship.
Temple now looks forward to Selection Sunday (Sunday, March 10) knowing that it is guaranteed a spot in the field of 64. The only questions to be answered are who will the Owls play and where will they play them.
