Temple University Athletics
TEMPLE GIVES #2 LSU A SCARE BEFORE FALLING, 65-51
11.23.04 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA --
Trailing by 10 points (44-34) with 10:35 remaining, head coach Dawn Staley inserted the 5'5" Morris into the lineup at the shooting guard spot. The move immediately sparked the hosts, as the Central High School product helped the Owls (1-1) go on an 11-4 run over the next two minutes to draw within three points of the nation's second-ranked team. Her second triple of the span came with 7:34 to play and brought her hometown crowd to its feet.
LSU (5-0), the highest ranked women's team to play at The Liacouras Center, played through the run without calling a timeout and as an experienced team will do, quickly swung the momentum on its side. The Lady Tigers fed the post for four straight lay-ups and built their lead back to 11 at 58-47.
The Cherry and White were looking for its first upset over a ranked opponent since March 10, 1989 when it defeated #20/21
"We've won two Atlantic 10 championships because of playing schedules like this," Staley said. "One of these days we're going to beat one of these giants. We're getting close. We can taste it."
Freshman Sylvia Fowles came off the bench to lead LSU with 17 points, overshadowing national player of the year candidate Seimone Augustus, who scored 16 points but shot 6-for-19 from the field. Fowles tied a
"She's a ringer," Staley said of Fowles. "We watched her from afar, hoping to get a player like her. She's got a lot of promise and upside. I fear for LSU's opponents, especially when she gets more experience."
Neither team was particularly sharp in the early going, as it took each team over five minutes to connect on two field goals. After six minutes of play,
The Owls were out-rebounded 48-33 and shot 50% (6-for-12) from the free throw line. Senior Ari Moore added eight points and eight rebounds for
Wendlyn Jones and Scholanda Hoston each scored nine points for LSU.
