Temple University Athletics
DUPREE'S DOUBLE-DOUBLE SLAYS DREXEL DRAGONS, 66-54
11.19.05 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA- In a game where the Owls never trailed, #21/19 Temple improved its overall record to 3-0 Saturday evening with a 66-54 victory over Drexel at the Liacouras Center. The Owls coasted to their 13th consecutive win on their home hardwood dating back to last season, following 49% shooting from the field and 50% from long-range. All-America candidate Candice Dupree led all players in scoring with 21 points while posting10 rebounds for her second straight double-double. The Dragons were inspired in the losing effort by senior Catherine Scanlon's double-double (16 points and 10 rebounds) and sophomore Nicole Hester's team-leading 19 points.
The Owls jumped to an early first half advantage following an opening 7-0 run triggered by junior Kamesha Hairston's four points and one assist. The Temple lead grew to 13-6 heading into the game's first media timeout following baskets from Hairston, Dupree, and sophomore center Lady Comfort. The Dragons would get as close as six points following Hester's third bucket of the half.
The Owls extended their first half cushion to as many as 23 points after sophomore Candice Borrows dropped her first of three triples in the opening frame. Borrows contributed to 15 first half bench points for the Owls with nine while senior guard Stephanie Hicks added four. A late three-point basket from Dragon junior Kira Karlstrom and deuce from forward Candice Williams cut the Owls' advantage to 16 heading into intermission.
Scanlon opened the second half scoring for the Dragons before Hairston would re-extend the Owls' lead to 16. The lead would then balloon to as many as 22 after senior Gwen Browne converted a jump shot from just inside the arc. Following Browne's basket, the Wooden Award candidate Dupree would run off the next five points for the Owls pushing the lead to 55-34 with just over 10 minutes remaining.
While Scanlon and Hester both shot 7-18 from the field, the rest of the Dragons would only combine to record seven more field goals. Drexel would climb as close as 17 with just over five and a half minutes left following back-to-back three pointers from Scanlon. Junior Stacy McCollough's three point basket with 1:47 remaining would cut the Owls lead to 12. Browne's second basket of the game followed by sophomore Narissa Suber's two free throws would complete the game's scoring.
Complimenting Dupree's offensive efforts, the Owls got eight points and six rebounds from Hairston while senior Khadija Bowens added six points and dished three assists. Defensively, Temple created six steals while posting four blocks. Following a first half where the Owls' turnover column went unblemished, Temple surrendered 10 in the second half leading to only seven Drexel points. Without the services of senior Jennifer Owens, out with a concussion suffered in the win over Oregon, the Owls went with only 10 players dressed; all of whom contributed in the scoring column.
For the Dragons, Hester added seven rebounds to her 19 points while Suber posted seven points on just 2-11 shooting. Struggling to get consistent scoring from others not including Scanlon and Hester, Drexel finished shooting just 33.3% from the field and only 28% from behind the arc.
The Owls resume play Tuesday evening against cross-city rival Penn at the Palestra. The game's tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
