Temple University Athletics
#25/23 OWLS SNAP TWO-GAME SKID IN 69-66 OVERTIME THRILLER
12.19.05 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA -- Senior Jen Owens' trifecta with 1.6 seconds remaining in overtime sealed #25/23 Temple's 69-66 dramatic victory over #15/17 Georgia Monday evening at the Liacouras Center. The Owls boasted four scorers in double figures while Lady Bulldog sophomore Tasha Humphrey poured in 28 points and a season-high 16 rebounds in the losing effort. The Owls shot a healthy 47% from the field while competing with Georgia's 85% clip from the charity stripe. The meeting was the first between the two schools.
While maintaining an advantage for nearly 19 minutes of the first half, the Owls, at one point, pushed their lead to eight by way of a balanced scoring attack. All-American candidate Candice Dupree spearheaded the Temple scoring efforts throughout the first stanza posting eight points on four-of-eight shooting while grabbing three caroms. While dishing three assists and recording three rebounds, senior slasher Khadija Bowens was one of three Owl scorers to deposit four points. Sophomore Kamesha Hairston's four points was complemented by two-of-four shooting from the field and two rebounds. Sophomore center Lady Comfort added four points while senior point guard Jennifer Owens' lone three of the half banked in from the top of the key. Head coach Dawn Staley also received offensive support from junior guard Fatima Maddox. Playing in her first game for the Cherry and White, Maddox spent the last year as a spectator under NCAA transfer restrictions due to her departure from New Mexico State last winter.
The Lady Dogs, winners of their last five, trailed Temple until a 9-2 run ended the first half in their favor, 27-26. Humphrey was well on her way to eclipsing her season average (19.0 ppg, 8.6 reb) following a nine-point and six-rebound effort in the first half. Junior Cori Chambers chipped in with five points on two-of-three shooting while reserve Janese Hardrick also added five points and two assists. Lady Dog head coach Andy Landers got four points apiece from senior guard Sherill Baker and sophomore post player Megan Darrah. Georgia's halftime lead, characterized by 37% shooting from the field, could very well have been attributed to the defense's eight forced turnovers, in which the visitors cashed in on 12 points.
Fixtures on just about every preseason national award lists, both Humphrey and Dupree maintained their paint presence throughout the second half. A 9-4 scoring run, led by two Hairston baskets, ignited an Owls' offense that quickly regained the lead. Dupree's inside efforts were supported by Comfort's second half effort of nine points. Holding a two-point edge with just over three minutes left in regulation, Baker, who shot an uncharacteristic six-of-18 from the field for the game, converted two lay-ups to put the Lady Dogs ahead. Following another free throw from Baker and a responding deuce from Comfort, senior guard Alexis Kendrick pushed the lead back to two with one-of-two from the stripe. Comfort's rebound and forced foul down the other end set up two pressured-filled free throws. The composed sophomore toed the line and drained both attempts sending the game into an extra frame.
Owens opened the addendum with two triples putting the Owls ahead 64-62. Following a Bowens free throw and four straight Humphrey points, freshman forward Shenita Landry, pushed into action following Comfort and Dupree's disqualification due to five fouls, evened the score, setting up a dramatic final minute. Landry's block and rebound with 17 ticks left gave the hosts the ball and a chance to win. Hairston's dribble-drive spotted Owens sitting on a three that she converted on a foul with less than two ticks remaining. Humphrey's desperation heave was wide right handing Temple the crucial win.
Dupree finished her night with 17 points and nine rebounds while Comfort posted 13 points and four rebounds. Bowens, shooting just two-of-seven from the field, may have turned in the most impressive statistical performance with nine points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Both Hairston and Owens contributed 12 points in the winning effort.
The Owls return to action part of a men-women's doubleheader Thursday evening against Villanova at the Liacouras Center. The women's tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. The Temple men host South Carolina at 8:00 p.m.
