Temple University Athletics
BALANCED ATTACK LEADS TEMPLE WOMEN TO SIXTH STRAIGHT VICTORY, A 59-43 WIN OVER UMASS
1.4.05 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA-Jennifer Owens, Kamesha Hairston and Cynthia Jordan led a balanced attack, all netting 12 points a piece to lead the Temple women to their sixth straight victory, a 59-43 win over UMass on Tuesday night at the Liacouras Center. The Owls are now 9-3 overall, 1-0 in the A-10, while UMass falls to 7-5, 0-1 in the conference.
Temple was able to gain to control of the game from the very beginning, thanks in part to UMass' 17 first half turnovers. The Owls' tenacious defense denied the Minutewomen a point tally until the 16 minute mark when Kate Mills hit a jumper to make the score 4-2. UMass fought to keep it close but a series of short runs, allowed Temple to gain as much as a 20-point lead with three minutes remaining. Owens went 2-for-3 from the three point line to tally seven first half points, while Hairston and Jordan chipped in with nine to give Temple a 39 point tally at the mid way mark. Mills was a one-woman show, scoring 10 of the Minutewomen's 21 first half points.
Owens hit a jumper to begin the second half to allow the Owls to regain their 20-point lead. UMass began to chip away at the Temple advantage but the Owls would never allow them to get closer than 15 before pulling away again. UMass proved to be a bit more effective against the Temple bench, but it was too late, as the Owls took the contest 59-43.
Candice Dupree also netted in double figures, scoring 10 points and grabbing a game-high seven rebounds. Jordan and Hairston combined for six steals to bolster the Owl defense.
Mills finished the contest with 14 points, while Katie Nelson tallied 10. Brooke Campbell grabbed a team-high seven boards.
Temple continues conference play with a two-game road trip against the Rams. The Owls take on URI on Friday at 7 p.m. and Fordham on Sunday at 2 p.m.
