Temple Wins Third Straight Big Five Crown Behind Career Performances by Landry and Hairston

Feb. 12, 2007

PHILADELPHIA- Kamesha Hairston and Shenita Landry allowed Temple (20-5) to continue its city and Atlantic 10 dominance with a, 68-55, win over the La Salle Explorers (16-10, 4-7 A-10, 2-2 Big Five) on Monday night. Hairston netted 17 points and grabbed a career high 16 rebounds, while Landry scored a career-high 17 points and added three blocks and two steals as the Owls captured their third straight Big Five title and improved to a perfect 10-0 in the Atlantic 10. Temple has strung together an impressive 14 straight city series wins and has won 16 of its last 17 games.

Temple was beyond dominant on the boards, out-rebounding the Explorers, 40-22.  LaKeisha Eaddy and Lady Comfort also saw double figures for Temple, adding 13 and 10 points, respectively. Ashley Morris tied a career-high, dishing six assists in just 18 minutes of play.

The Explorers struck first in the game, with a lay-up by Christa Ricketts and were able to hold on to a slight lead in the opening minutes, but a jumper by Comfort with 16:10 left to play in the first half gave the Owls the advantage, one that they would never relinquish. La Salle leading scorer Carlene Hightower fought hard to keep the Explorers close, netting 10 first half points, but she was no match for Hairston, Landry and Eaddy, who scored 11, eight and nine first half points, respectively. A 7-0 Temple run increased the Owls' lead to 12 points (33-21) by 4:21 but the Explorers tried to fight back, going on a 7-2 run to end the half. They weren't able to get any closer than seven points, however, and Temple took a, 37-30, advantage going into the break.

La Salle came out with a renewed energy in the second stanza, going on a 6-2 run to get within three points (39-36) just two minutes into the half. The Explorers continued to hang around, never allowing Temple to gain more than a five point lead. A Landry lay-up sparked a 10-2 Temple run and gave the Cherry and White a double-digit lead yet again (11 points) with just over nine minutes to play. La Salle was able to get no closer than eight points as Temple increased its lead to as much as 14 on its way to the 68-55 result. Eaddy did an admirable job on Hightower, holding her to just two points in the second half, both of which came off of free throws.

Head Coach Dawn Staley improves to 9-0 over the Explorers, who had three players in double figures. Ricketts led her team with 18 points and five rebounds, while Hightower had 12. Melanie Gibbons contributed 10

Temple wraps up its 2006-07 home season on Thursday with a game against Saint Louis at 7 p.m. Seni

Temple University Athletics

Temple Wins Third Straight Big Five Crown Behind Career Performances by Landry and Hairston

Related News

Related Videos