Temple University Athletics
Temple Women's Basketball Claims 74-66 Win Over Duquesne on Think Pink Day
2.17.08 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 17, 2008
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PHILADELPHIA - Two of the nation's best point guards squared off against each other on Sunday afternoon at the Liacouras Center as Temple's Dawn Staley guided her Temple women's basketball to a 74-66 win over Suzie McConnell-Serio's Duquesne team in Atlantic 10 action.
Temple improved to 15-11 overall and 8-2 in A-10 action, while Duquesne fell to 11-14 overall and 2-8 in the A-10. With the win Staley tied the record for most wins in TU women's basketball history. In eight seasons, she stands 166-78. Staley is tied with Linda Hill MacDonald (1980-90) who went 166-130 in 10 seasons.
The teams also celebrated "Think Pink Day" in honor of breast cancer awareness. Proceeds from ticket and t-shirt sales benefitted Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the WBCA's Kay Yow Fund.
"We just played uninspired basketball today," Staley said. "I don't know if it was because we had a week off. We had players who were too inconsistent in their effort and approach to the game."
The teams were evenly matched throughout the first half. TU jumped on the scoreboard first and jumped out to a seven point lead, 9-2. The Dukes came within three points, 11-8. The Owls re-built their lead to 10 points, 40-30, with 30 seconds to go until intermission.
The second half belonged to TU point guard Ashley Morris. Ahead by just three, Morris nailed a trey, her third of the game. While Duquesne never led throughout the game, the Dukes tied the contest twice. With 4:33 left to go, it was a whole new ball game. Senior Lady Comfort made the front end of a two-shot foul and Morris added a jumper to give the Owls a three-point edge, 63-60.
Temple finished the game with a 12-2 run. Morris started the run with a jumper. She added a free throw and an outside jumper to put TU ahead by four, 68-64. Duquesne couldn't capitalize on a scoring opportunity, and TU's Shenita Landry came up with a huge rebound. Temple closed out the game with four free throws, two from Comfort and two from Landry.
Morris led the Owls with 27 points, including three buckets from long range. Comfort followed with fourth double-double performance of the year, finishing with 16 points and a career-high 18 rebounds. Landry came off the bench for 13 points and nine boards.
"I know I have to come out big," Morris said.
"We were trying to make sure they weren't getting second and third chances to score," Comfort said of the defensive rebounding.
Samantha Pollino led Duquesne with 17 points. Kristi Little followed with 15 points, including shooting a perfect 11-for-11 from the line. Kelly Britcher had 12 points.
"We certainly have to play better than we played today, intensity-wise," Staley said. "We can't teach effort."
Temple travels to cross town rival Saint Joseph's on Wednesday, Feb. 20 for a 7 p.m. game at Alumni Fieldhouse.
