Temple University Athletics
#22 TEMPLE WINS 15TH STRAIGHT WITH VICTORY AT DUQUESNE, 75-53
2.6.05 | Women's Basketball
PITTSBURGH, PA - Atlantic 10 Player of the Week Kamesha Hairston was the high scorer for Temple (18-3, 10-0 A-10) for the second game in a row, netting 18 points to lead the Owls to their 15th straight victory, a 75-53 win at Duquesne (7-14, 2-8 A-10) on Sunday afternoon. Hairston, who scored 13 of her 18 points in the second half, also led Temple in rebounding and steals with nine boards and four takeaways, respectively. Candice Dupree tallied 12 points to go along with her season-high five blocks. Cynthia Jordan also netted in double figures, scoring 10 points off of three three-pointers.
Though the Owls won the ball at the opening tip, it was Duquesne that started off the scoring with a Nicole Sinclair jumper at 19:25. Jordan answered with a trey 30 seconds later to begin a 10-0 Temple run, making the score 12-2 by 16:37. Rebecca Bonasso broke the Dukes' scoring drought with a jumper at 16:12 and started a run that allowed DU to get within three points (16-13) at 10:53. Temple began to pull away and was able to gain a 36-28 lead at the half. Though the Owls finished the first stanza with the lead, they shot just 34.5% from the field. What Temple lacked in accurate field shooting, however, they made up in foul shots and steals. The Dukes sent the Owls to the line 15 times in the first half, with Temple connecting on 12. TU also posted eight steals to the Dukes' one.
Temple fared better in the second half, thanks in part to Hairston's 13 points. Dupree scored four straight points to begin the half and allow Temple to take a 40-30 lead by 18:20. The Dukes fought hard to keep the deficit low but the Owls went on a series of scoring runs to gain considerable leads, first by 13, then by 16, and finally by 22 points. Temple's now infamous defense forced 21 Duke turnovers and a 13-5 steal differential.
Jordan dished four assists and added three steals to her double figure scoring. Khadija Bowens and Ashley Morris came off the bench to score nine points a piece.
Brittany Warren led three Dukes in double figures with 14 points. Bonasso and Loui Hall chipped in with 13 points each.
Temple returns home to host Big 5 rival Saint Joseph's on Thursday, February 10 at 7:30.
