Temple University Athletics
Temple Women's Basketball To Face Florida In NCAA Tournament First Round
3.16.09 | Women's Basketball
March 16, 2009
PHILADELPHIA-Tonya Cardoza and the ninth-seeded Temple women's basketball team (21-9) will make their sixth straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, March 22, when they take on the eighth seeded Florida Gators (23-7) in Storrs, Connecticut. Cardoza, who spent 14 years as a assistant coach at UConn prior to coming to Temple, makes her first return to Gampel Pavilion on Sunday at approximately 2:30 p.m. on ESPN.
This is the third straight year and fourth overall that the Owls have garnered an at-large bid. Temple is quite familiar with the Gators, having faced Florida in each of the last five seasons. The Cherry and White are 1-4 all-time against Florida, with their only victory coming in an overtime contest during the 2006-07 season.
A first round win would pit Cardoza and Assistant Coach Brittany Hunter against a familiar foe, as the Connecticut Huskies are taking on Vermont in the other first round game. That game would be played on Tuesday, March 24.
Temple finished the season with a 21-9 record and an 11-3 mark in A-10 play. Senior Shenita Landry was voted the A-10's Most Improved Player and earned a spot on the Conference's Second Team and All-Defensive Team. Junior LaKeisha Eaddy was also named Second Team All-Atlantic 10 and All-Defensive Team and freshman Kristen McCarthy was selected to the All-Rookie Team.
Florida finished the season with a 23-7 record and a 9-5 mark in SEC play. The Gators lost to Tennessee, 71-67, in the SEC Tournament Quarterfinals. They are led by Sha Brooks, who averages 16.6 ppg and Marshae Dotson who is putting up 13.7 ppg.
