Temple University Athletics
#17 TEMPLE WOMEN CLOSE OUT REGULAR SEASON WITH 91-79 WIN OVER RHODE ISLAND
2.26.06 | Women's Basketball
KINGTSON, RI - Candice Dupree wanted to make sure that she ended her final regular season on a high note. The senior scored 27 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead #17 Temple (21-7, 12-4 A-10) to a 91-79 win over Rhode Island on Sunday at the Rams' Ryan Center. The Owls' 91 points was the most scored since the 1993-94 season when the Owls defeated West Virginia, 91-89 in overtime.
The game started off sloppy, with three straight turnovers for Temple and two straight for URI but then Dupree went to work. Dupree earned a double-double in the first half, netting 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Safi Mojidi got the Rams on the board with a trey at 18:16 and Dupree answered with a jumper at 18:01 to make it 3-2. The Owls finally began to settle down and went on an 8-2 run to take a 10-5 advantage at 16:05. The teams traded baskets for the next few minutes and the Owls were able to increase their lead to five points (20-15) by the 11-minute mark. Temple continued to roll armed with a 52% shooting percentage and a 14-4 run and by 5:14, Temple led 34-19. The Rams went on a 10-4 run of their own and were able to close the gap to 10 (39-29) by the two-minute mark.
Two straight jumpers by Kamesha Hairston in the final minute of the half, gave Temple a 43-30 advantage going into the locker room. The Owls shot nearly 56% from the field, as opposed to URI's 38% and the Owls scored 26 points in the paint, as opposed to the Rams' six.
Dupree scored six straight points to start the second half, allowing Temple to take a 49-33 lead with 17:30 remaining. The game began to get physical and the Rams earned 10 points off free throws, while hitting just two field goals up until the 11-minute mark. The Owls were able to play through it and took a 27-point lead (70-43) by 11:21. The Rams began to rain treys, however, hitting three straight, and whittled the deficit down to 15 (79-64) at the 4:50 mark. The reserves were able to keep Temple ahead and walk away with the 91-79 victory.
Dupree ended with four blocks and two steals. Hairston scored 18 points while earning a game-high four steals. Khadija Bowens also saw double-figures with 11 points and a team-high four assists. Temple finished with a 53.1% shooting percentage
Tanya Rhodes and Mojidi each netted 20 points for the Rams, with Rhodes earning a double-double with 10 boards. Mia Marcus also saw double figures with 11 points.
Temple has clinched the #3 seed for the Atlantic 10 Tournament and will face the winner of the Dayton/Rhode Island game on Saturday, March 4 at 6 p.m. at Saint Joseph's.
