Temple University Athletics
Temple to Face St. Bonaventure in A-10 Quarterfinal Round
3.2.07 | Women's Basketball
March 2, 2007
Cincinnati, OH-Temple begins its quest for a fourth straight Atlantic 10 title when it faces St. Bonaventure in Saturday's quarterfinal. Tip off is set for 4 p.m. St Bonaventure defeated Massachusetts, 63-60, in Friday's opening round game to advance to the next round.
The Owls are 26-15 all time against the Bonnies and have won the last nine meetings. The Cherry and White defeated St. Bonaventure, 73-55, earlier in the season.
The weather outside was frightful but the action in the Smith Center was delightful as Temple and #9 George Washington put on a strong fight in the race to finish unbeaten in the Atlantic 10 regular season. Fatima Maddox led the Owls with 17 points and Kamesha Hairston earned a double-double (13 points and 13 rebounds) but it was not enough as the Colonials took the #1 seed in the A-10 Tournament, 59-56. Lawrence netted 19 points, including 14 in the first half, to lead the Colonials. Lady Comfort was also in double figures, grabbing 13 rebounds. The Owls were dominant on the boards (48-27) but it was not enough to overcome a horrid day at the free throw line (9-for-19) and 19 turnovers. Maddox had 13 points in the second stanza, while Shenita Landry added eight but Temple continued to struggle from the field and the free throw line, finishing 21-for-59 from the field. LaKeisha Eaddy dished a team-high four assists in the loss, while Landry had nine rebounds.
Hairston leads Temple in scoring and rebounding, averaging 19.3 ppg and 8.8 rpg. Comfort is second with 13.0 ppg and 6.8 rpg. Maddox is third, averaging 11.4 ppg. Eaddy continues to put up great numbers, with the guard fourth in scoring (7.1 ppg) and first in assists (112).
A win tonight would advance Temple to the semifinal round on Sunday against the winner of #3 Xavier and Richmond/Saint Louis. TU defeated all three teams earlier in the season, posting a 59-58 victory over Xavier, a 64-52 win over Richmond and a 74-64 win over Saint Louis.
Hitting `em Where it Hurts
Temple may be 23-20 all-time in the Atlantic 10 Tournament but it has posted a perfect 9-0 record over the last three seasons. In fact, in Staley's six seasons, the Owls have gone 14-2 in the Tournament. Temple is 3-0 in the Cintas Center since the building opened its doors in the 2000-01 season.
