Temple University Athletics
Friday, November 13
Liacouras Center
7:00 p.m.
Temple University
vs
University of Florida
Photo by: Ben Solomon/American Athletic Conference
Women's Basketball Faces Florida in Season Tip Off
11.11.15 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA -- The Temple women's basketball team is set to tip off against Florida on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at the Liacouras Center. The game will be streamed live on OwlsTV.Â
Coming off a 20-win season that saw Temple advance to the WNIT Final, the 2015-16 Owls return four players who averaged in double-figures in scoring last season, including returning All-Conference and All-Big 5 selections in senior Erica Covile and sophomore Alliya Butts. Covile led the Owls with 8.3 rebounds per game last season, but was also a scoring threat, averaging  11.4 points per outing, behind only Butts. Butts led the Owls in points per game (12.3) and steals (72) last year, collecting a number of individual accolades, including Big 5 Rookie of the Year.Â
Junior Feyonda Fitzgerald and sophomore Tanaya Atkinson round out Temple's excellent squad of returning guards. Fitzgerald, who led the team in scoring as a rookie, averaged 11.1 points per game, while Atkinson contributed 10.6 points and 6.8 boards per outing. They are joined by talented newcomers in transfer Donnaizha Fountain and freshman Deja Reynolds, who will both help fill the void of the graduated Tyonna Williams.Â
Temple, which played with the smallest roster in the conference last season, sees its number balloon with four transfers and two freshmen eligible to suit up from the start of the season. The added numbers, including some more size in the post, have given the Owls a more competitive practice environment. At forward, Temple will feature three players who will see action for the first time, welcoming transfers Monasia Bolduc and Ruth Sherrill, along with freshman Chyanna Canada.Â
At center, Temple returns a pair of 6-4 juniors in Safiya Martin and Taylor Robinson, an All-Freshman selection in 2012-13. Graduate transfer Ugo Nwaigwe will also add depth in the paint.
The Owls were tested last weekend, hosting Division-II Bloomfield in an exhibition game. In that match-up, Temple used a 17-0 third-quarter run to put away the Bears, 65-42. Fitzgerald led all players with 18 points, leading four Owls in double-figures on the day. Butts finished with 14 points and three steals, while senior Covile had 13 points, five assists, five rebounds, and four steals. Atkinson added 12 points with four rebounds and two blocks, while Martin notched 11 rebounds, a game high.Â
Florida is coming off a 13-17 season, going 5-11 in the tough SEC last year. Two star players return for the Gators, however, as junior guard Ronni Williams, a preseason All-SEC selection, will look to improve on her 9.3 points per game from 2014-15. Senior Cassie Peoples is also expected to be in the starting line-up again, a year removed from leading Florida in assists per game (4.2) and total steals (59).
Also for the Gators, sophomore Haley Lorenzen was second on the Gators last season, connecting on 48.4% of her field goal attempts. She also led Florida in blocked shots.Â
Temple is 1-5 all-time against Florida, with the Owls' only win coming in 2007. In that match-up, Temple defeated Florida, 85-80, on the road. The last time the teams met, Florida came away with a 68-54 win at McGonigle Hall. Â
Live Video | Live Stats | Game Notes
Coming off a 20-win season that saw Temple advance to the WNIT Final, the 2015-16 Owls return four players who averaged in double-figures in scoring last season, including returning All-Conference and All-Big 5 selections in senior Erica Covile and sophomore Alliya Butts. Covile led the Owls with 8.3 rebounds per game last season, but was also a scoring threat, averaging  11.4 points per outing, behind only Butts. Butts led the Owls in points per game (12.3) and steals (72) last year, collecting a number of individual accolades, including Big 5 Rookie of the Year.Â
Junior Feyonda Fitzgerald and sophomore Tanaya Atkinson round out Temple's excellent squad of returning guards. Fitzgerald, who led the team in scoring as a rookie, averaged 11.1 points per game, while Atkinson contributed 10.6 points and 6.8 boards per outing. They are joined by talented newcomers in transfer Donnaizha Fountain and freshman Deja Reynolds, who will both help fill the void of the graduated Tyonna Williams.Â
Temple, which played with the smallest roster in the conference last season, sees its number balloon with four transfers and two freshmen eligible to suit up from the start of the season. The added numbers, including some more size in the post, have given the Owls a more competitive practice environment. At forward, Temple will feature three players who will see action for the first time, welcoming transfers Monasia Bolduc and Ruth Sherrill, along with freshman Chyanna Canada.Â
At center, Temple returns a pair of 6-4 juniors in Safiya Martin and Taylor Robinson, an All-Freshman selection in 2012-13. Graduate transfer Ugo Nwaigwe will also add depth in the paint.
The Owls were tested last weekend, hosting Division-II Bloomfield in an exhibition game. In that match-up, Temple used a 17-0 third-quarter run to put away the Bears, 65-42. Fitzgerald led all players with 18 points, leading four Owls in double-figures on the day. Butts finished with 14 points and three steals, while senior Covile had 13 points, five assists, five rebounds, and four steals. Atkinson added 12 points with four rebounds and two blocks, while Martin notched 11 rebounds, a game high.Â
Florida is coming off a 13-17 season, going 5-11 in the tough SEC last year. Two star players return for the Gators, however, as junior guard Ronni Williams, a preseason All-SEC selection, will look to improve on her 9.3 points per game from 2014-15. Senior Cassie Peoples is also expected to be in the starting line-up again, a year removed from leading Florida in assists per game (4.2) and total steals (59).
Also for the Gators, sophomore Haley Lorenzen was second on the Gators last season, connecting on 48.4% of her field goal attempts. She also led Florida in blocked shots.Â
Temple is 1-5 all-time against Florida, with the Owls' only win coming in 2007. In that match-up, Temple defeated Florida, 85-80, on the road. The last time the teams met, Florida came away with a 68-54 win at McGonigle Hall. Â
Live Video | Live Stats | Game Notes
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