Temple University Athletics
#22/20 TEMPLE WOMEN ADVANCE TO A-10 SEMIFINAL WITH 70-55 WIN OVER DAYTON
3.4.06 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA- Candice Dupree earned a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds to lead #22/20 Temple (22-7) over Dayton (17-12), 70-55, in the quarterfinal round of the 2006 Atlantic 10 Tournament. Dupree was just 3-for-12 from the field but made 9-of-12 from the charity stripe to keep up the scoring pace. Khadija Bowens and Kamesha Hairston also saw double figures, with 14 and 11 points, respectively. The Owls advance to the semifinal round where they will face Duquesne on A-10 TV at 4 p.m.
Dupree and, as a result Temple, struggled early, going 0-for-5 in the opening minutes of the game. The Owls seemed jittery, allowing the Flyers to keep the game close. After Temple led for most of the half, two free throws by Cara Wright tied the game at 11 with 11 minutes to go. The Owls were shooting just 22% from the field and committed six turnovers by the midway point but fortunately for them, Dayton wasn't much better. The Flyers were shooting 30% from the field and had committed eight misscues. The teams struggled for the next few minutes and the score was tied yet again (18-18) with just over five minutes to go. Temple finally seemed to find its offensive groove and went on an 11-1 run to take a 29-19 lead with two minutes to go. The Flyers clawed back to get within seven points with 1:26 remaining but Temple was able to hold on for a 32-23 advantage at the break. Dupree went 0-8 from the field in the first stanza but was 9-for-12 from the free throw line to earn nine points. Hairston had 10 points as Temple shot just 30% from the field. The Flyers finished with a 28% shooting percentage.
TU started the second half with a 6-0 run to take a 38-23 lead at 17:50. Jennifer Strong finally got Dayton on the board at 17:48 to make it 38-25 and two straight Temple turnovers by Temple allowed the Flyers to go on a 6-0 run and make the score 38-27 at 15:26. This would be the smallest gap that Temple would allow, as the Owls went on a scoring frenzy and opened up a 22-point gap(63-41) by 7:41. As the reserves checked in, the Flyers could only get as close as the 70-55 result.
Bowens added three steals to her 12-point second half performance. Both she and Hairston grabbed seven rebounds. Jennifer Owens dished a team-high four assists, while Hairston, Ashley Morris and Fatima Maddox all had three.
Cara Wright led Dayton with 20 points and nine boards.
