Temple University Athletics
Saturday, February 27
Liacouras Center
1:00 PM
Temple University
vs
George Washington
Women's Basketball Seniors to be Honored on Saturday
2.25.10 | Women's Basketball
Owls host George Washington in final regular season game at 1:00 p.m.
Game Notes vs. George Washington | Watch Live
PHILADELPHIA - Three senior student-athletes on the Temple women's basketball team will be honored prior to tip-off of the Owls' game against George Washington on Saturday. LaKeisha Eaddy, Jasmine Stone and Kristie Watkins-Day, along with senior managers Dania Hunt and Talisa Samano, will be recognized prior to the 1:00 p.m. contest in the Liacouras Center.
Temple (21-7, 10-3) has clinched at least the #3 seed in the upcoming Atlantic 10 Tournament, which will be held March 5-8 at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Md. The Owls have won 11 of their last 13 games, thanks to strong defense and impressive rebounding. TU's season rebounding margin of +7.7 ranks 11th in NCAA Division I, and their scoring defense of 54.8 ppg ranks 13th nationally.
Sophomore Kristen McCarthy has led the Owls in scoring in their last four games, including a 42-point performance in a win vs. Charlotte on Feb. 13. McCarthy leads the team and ranks fourth in the A-10 with 14.7 points per game.
Before traveling to Philadelphia on Saturday, George Washington (6-19, 3-9) will play Richmond at home on Friday in a contest that was postponed due to weather a few weeks ago. The Colonials have struggled, losing five of their last six games, but are still poised to earn an A-10 Tournament berth.
Temple's Three Seniors Have Accomplished Big Things, But Aren't Done Yet
By Karen Auerbach - Associate Director, Athletic Communications
Four years ago, a trio of women's basketball players began their careers at Temple looking to help continue the tradition of what was already a hugely successful program. It is safe to say now as they come to the end of their time on North Broad Street - mission accomplished. LaKeisha Eaddy, Jasmine Stone and Kristie Watkins-Day have been part of a team that has advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each year they've been here. Despite the obvious success, ask any of the three and they will tell you- it isn't over yet.
In 2006-07, the first year of the current seniors' careers, Temple finished with a record of 25-8 and advanced to the NCAA Second Round after a first-round win against Nebraska. Eaddy made an immediate impact as a rookie for the Owls, and was the first freshman to earn a starting spot under then-head coach Dawn Staley. She went on to earn Big 5 Rookie of the Year honors after averaging 6.7 points per game and ranking third in the Atlantic 10 in assists.
In the trio's sophomore year, Temple advanced to the title game of the A-10 Tournament where the Owls narrowly lost to Xavier, but again earned an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament. Temple fell to Arizona State in the first round, finishing the season with a record of 21-13. Eaddy was once again an impact player, earning Big 5 second team honors after averaging nine points per game and leading the team in steals.
Adjusting to a coaching change can be tough for individuals and for the team, but Temple continued to thrive under the new leadership of Tonya Cardoza, who began her reign as head coach for the 2008-09 season.
Temple's most recent NCAA Tournament appearance saw the Owls again fall in the first round, this time to Florida in 2009. The team still finished with more than 20 wins, 21-10 to be exact, but that second-straight first round loss as well as an A-10 semifinal loss, have fueled the team that much more. Taking the A-10 crown won't be easy, but the Owls have the pieces in place to do it.
On a small squad that has often seen only eight or nine players dressed for games this season, every person's contributions are crucial. Watkins-Day, though not usually an offensive threat, is frequently brought off the bench for her defensive intensity. She is a veteran player with both the desire and ability to win.
“From my freshman year to now, things have been up and down with me,” commented Watkins-Day. “My role has definitely changed from when Coach Staley was here to when Coach Cardoza came in. I think Coach Cardoza expects more out of me, and she knows what I can bring to the team and bring to a game, and I really appreciate that. You want a coach to believe in you.
“I try to be a spark to my teammates and be the one to pat everybody on the back. Some games I'll play a lot of minutes and some games I won't play. I just try to stay positive and do whatever the team needs me to.”
Stone has come into her own as a senior. After struggling with NCAA eligibility issues for the past two years, she had no such issues this year and was available for the Owls from the get-go. She has led Temple in several of its wins this season, particularly with her strength on the glass. She ranks among the top few players in the A-10 in rebounds. Anyone who has seen the Owls play knows that Stone is a force on the court, both in ability and attitude. She plays with passion for the game and wants nothing less than the best this season.
In early December, Stone averaged a double-double in leading Temple to a 3-0 week with wins against Hampton, Ohio and Kent State. For her efforts, she was named the Big 5 Player of the Week.
“My senior year has been good so far,” said Stone. “It's been a great year. But my goal is for us to win the A-10.”
Stone credits her time with the program for making a lot of positive changes in her life. “It has been a great experience, and not only in basketball but for life experience,” she said. “I've matured a lot here and I owe a lot to my teammates and coaches.”
Eaddy has been a consistent threat throughout her career with the Owls, and will leave her name in the record books. She recently became the 17th player in the history of the program to score 1,000 career points, and will finish her career ranked either first or second all-time in assists. As a junior she earned A-10 Second Team honors, and as a senior she is one of the team's captains along with sophomore Kristen McCarthy.
Close games often showcase the value of the team's most experienced players, and a recent Temple game at Saint Joseph's did just that.
All three seniors played a part in a 58-56 win for the Owls, a game which could easily have gone the other way with Temple trailing by four points near the end. Watkins-Day played 26 minutes of the contest and displayed her typical defensive prowess, coming up with two steals along with scoring seven points and dishing out two assists. Stone was a monster on the glass with 12 rebounds and three blocks.
Eaddy's contribution was the dagger for Saint Joseph's, as she hit a 10-foot jumper with 3.9 seconds on the clock to lift Temple to victory.
Heading into the A-10 Tournament, Temple is poised for a strong seeding and strong finish, and the seniors especially want to make their mark.
“We're really hungry for an A-10 Championship," said Watkins-Day. "When we came here they'd won three in a row and we haven't won one. I want to leave on that note.”
PHILADELPHIA - Three senior student-athletes on the Temple women's basketball team will be honored prior to tip-off of the Owls' game against George Washington on Saturday. LaKeisha Eaddy, Jasmine Stone and Kristie Watkins-Day, along with senior managers Dania Hunt and Talisa Samano, will be recognized prior to the 1:00 p.m. contest in the Liacouras Center.
Temple (21-7, 10-3) has clinched at least the #3 seed in the upcoming Atlantic 10 Tournament, which will be held March 5-8 at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Md. The Owls have won 11 of their last 13 games, thanks to strong defense and impressive rebounding. TU's season rebounding margin of +7.7 ranks 11th in NCAA Division I, and their scoring defense of 54.8 ppg ranks 13th nationally.
Sophomore Kristen McCarthy has led the Owls in scoring in their last four games, including a 42-point performance in a win vs. Charlotte on Feb. 13. McCarthy leads the team and ranks fourth in the A-10 with 14.7 points per game.
Before traveling to Philadelphia on Saturday, George Washington (6-19, 3-9) will play Richmond at home on Friday in a contest that was postponed due to weather a few weeks ago. The Colonials have struggled, losing five of their last six games, but are still poised to earn an A-10 Tournament berth.
Temple's Three Seniors Have Accomplished Big Things, But Aren't Done Yet
By Karen Auerbach - Associate Director, Athletic Communications
Four years ago, a trio of women's basketball players began their careers at Temple looking to help continue the tradition of what was already a hugely successful program. It is safe to say now as they come to the end of their time on North Broad Street - mission accomplished. LaKeisha Eaddy, Jasmine Stone and Kristie Watkins-Day have been part of a team that has advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each year they've been here. Despite the obvious success, ask any of the three and they will tell you- it isn't over yet.
In 2006-07, the first year of the current seniors' careers, Temple finished with a record of 25-8 and advanced to the NCAA Second Round after a first-round win against Nebraska. Eaddy made an immediate impact as a rookie for the Owls, and was the first freshman to earn a starting spot under then-head coach Dawn Staley. She went on to earn Big 5 Rookie of the Year honors after averaging 6.7 points per game and ranking third in the Atlantic 10 in assists.
In the trio's sophomore year, Temple advanced to the title game of the A-10 Tournament where the Owls narrowly lost to Xavier, but again earned an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament. Temple fell to Arizona State in the first round, finishing the season with a record of 21-13. Eaddy was once again an impact player, earning Big 5 second team honors after averaging nine points per game and leading the team in steals.
Adjusting to a coaching change can be tough for individuals and for the team, but Temple continued to thrive under the new leadership of Tonya Cardoza, who began her reign as head coach for the 2008-09 season.
Temple's most recent NCAA Tournament appearance saw the Owls again fall in the first round, this time to Florida in 2009. The team still finished with more than 20 wins, 21-10 to be exact, but that second-straight first round loss as well as an A-10 semifinal loss, have fueled the team that much more. Taking the A-10 crown won't be easy, but the Owls have the pieces in place to do it.
On a small squad that has often seen only eight or nine players dressed for games this season, every person's contributions are crucial. Watkins-Day, though not usually an offensive threat, is frequently brought off the bench for her defensive intensity. She is a veteran player with both the desire and ability to win.
“From my freshman year to now, things have been up and down with me,” commented Watkins-Day. “My role has definitely changed from when Coach Staley was here to when Coach Cardoza came in. I think Coach Cardoza expects more out of me, and she knows what I can bring to the team and bring to a game, and I really appreciate that. You want a coach to believe in you.
“I try to be a spark to my teammates and be the one to pat everybody on the back. Some games I'll play a lot of minutes and some games I won't play. I just try to stay positive and do whatever the team needs me to.”
Stone has come into her own as a senior. After struggling with NCAA eligibility issues for the past two years, she had no such issues this year and was available for the Owls from the get-go. She has led Temple in several of its wins this season, particularly with her strength on the glass. She ranks among the top few players in the A-10 in rebounds. Anyone who has seen the Owls play knows that Stone is a force on the court, both in ability and attitude. She plays with passion for the game and wants nothing less than the best this season.
In early December, Stone averaged a double-double in leading Temple to a 3-0 week with wins against Hampton, Ohio and Kent State. For her efforts, she was named the Big 5 Player of the Week.
“My senior year has been good so far,” said Stone. “It's been a great year. But my goal is for us to win the A-10.”
Stone credits her time with the program for making a lot of positive changes in her life. “It has been a great experience, and not only in basketball but for life experience,” she said. “I've matured a lot here and I owe a lot to my teammates and coaches.”
Eaddy has been a consistent threat throughout her career with the Owls, and will leave her name in the record books. She recently became the 17th player in the history of the program to score 1,000 career points, and will finish her career ranked either first or second all-time in assists. As a junior she earned A-10 Second Team honors, and as a senior she is one of the team's captains along with sophomore Kristen McCarthy.
Close games often showcase the value of the team's most experienced players, and a recent Temple game at Saint Joseph's did just that.
All three seniors played a part in a 58-56 win for the Owls, a game which could easily have gone the other way with Temple trailing by four points near the end. Watkins-Day played 26 minutes of the contest and displayed her typical defensive prowess, coming up with two steals along with scoring seven points and dishing out two assists. Stone was a monster on the glass with 12 rebounds and three blocks.
Eaddy's contribution was the dagger for Saint Joseph's, as she hit a 10-foot jumper with 3.9 seconds on the clock to lift Temple to victory.
Heading into the A-10 Tournament, Temple is poised for a strong seeding and strong finish, and the seniors especially want to make their mark.
“We're really hungry for an A-10 Championship," said Watkins-Day. "When we came here they'd won three in a row and we haven't won one. I want to leave on that note.”
Post Game Press Conf. vs. Villanova
Monday, November 24
Ep. 24: Cross Country/Track & Field Coach Elvis Forde
Friday, November 21
Ep. 23: Former Men's Basketball Standout Marc Jackson Speaks on Mental Health
Wednesday, November 19
Ep. 22: Owls Sports Update from David & Amelia
Tuesday, November 18
