Temple University Athletics
Saturday, November 7
McGonigle Hall
2:00 p.m.
Temple University
vs
Bloomfield College
Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Women's Basketball Opens Season with Exhibition on Saturday
11.4.15 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA - The Temple women's basketball team will open the 2015-16 season with an exhibition game against Bloomfield College on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at McGonigle Hall. The game is free for all fans and live stats will be available on owlsports.com.
2015-16 Season Preview
Coming off a 20-win season that saw Temple advance to the WNIT Final, the 2015-16 Owls' women's basketball team looks like a strong contender for success at the conference and national level. However, to get to that level, head coach Tonya Cardoza and crew know that the team needs to be significantly better than last season.
"What we did last year, just isn't going to be good enough this year. We know we have to step it up," said Cardoza.
Temple struggled at the outset of last season, relying on significant minutes from underclassmen. The Owls' youth showed early, as a December 14 loss to Florida State set Temple's record to 3-7. Following that game, Temple's season began a slow and methodical turnaround, until a three-game win streak finally put the Owls at .500 with a 15-15 record in the second-to-last game of the regular season.
"It took us a while to play our brand of basketball last year," noted Cardoza. "The depth of the team this year won't have us relying so much on our new guys."
Once Temple hit the .500 mark and earned a WNIT bid, the Owls played their best basketball of the season. Temple rattled off four-straight WNIT wins, before falling in overtime in the tournament semifinals.
This year's team returns 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 had a breakout season last year, and is set to lead Temple as the lone senior member of the squad. "Erica leads by example," said Cardoza. "She's definitely not as vocal as some others, but she leads in her own way, and on the court, she's really been working hard every day."
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.
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. Cardoza has seen both develop as team leaders over the first few weeks of practice.
"Erica is going to lead her way, but Fee and Tanaya are both getting more vocal," said Cardoza. "They are both going to be there leading this team this year."
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.
"Last year, everyone knew they were going to play, even if they didn't work as hard as they could," noted Cardoza. "Practices this year have been so much more competitive, it's really a good thing. The players know that if they aren't going to get it done, there's someone right behind them that will step up."
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.
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 much-needed depth in the paint.
In the back-court, Temple's returning guards 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. Williams, the program's all-time leader in three pointers and free throw percentage, has also joined the Temple staff this year as Assistant to the Head Coach.
With a deep squad of returners and many new faces that will contribute, the Temple team looks ready to avoid the early season struggles that plagued the Owls last year. The team once again has a tough non-conference slate, featuring a mix of Philadelphia Big 5 opponents, and solid out-of-region competition, including SEC-power, Florida. However, this Temple team is ready to take the next step.
2015-16 Media Guide
2015-16 Season Preview
Coming off a 20-win season that saw Temple advance to the WNIT Final, the 2015-16 Owls' women's basketball team looks like a strong contender for success at the conference and national level. However, to get to that level, head coach Tonya Cardoza and crew know that the team needs to be significantly better than last season.
"What we did last year, just isn't going to be good enough this year. We know we have to step it up," said Cardoza.
Temple struggled at the outset of last season, relying on significant minutes from underclassmen. The Owls' youth showed early, as a December 14 loss to Florida State set Temple's record to 3-7. Following that game, Temple's season began a slow and methodical turnaround, until a three-game win streak finally put the Owls at .500 with a 15-15 record in the second-to-last game of the regular season.
"It took us a while to play our brand of basketball last year," noted Cardoza. "The depth of the team this year won't have us relying so much on our new guys."
Once Temple hit the .500 mark and earned a WNIT bid, the Owls played their best basketball of the season. Temple rattled off four-straight WNIT wins, before falling in overtime in the tournament semifinals.
This year's team returns 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 had a breakout season last year, and is set to lead Temple as the lone senior member of the squad. "Erica leads by example," said Cardoza. "She's definitely not as vocal as some others, but she leads in her own way, and on the court, she's really been working hard every day."
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.
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. Cardoza has seen both develop as team leaders over the first few weeks of practice.
"Erica is going to lead her way, but Fee and Tanaya are both getting more vocal," said Cardoza. "They are both going to be there leading this team this year."
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.
"Last year, everyone knew they were going to play, even if they didn't work as hard as they could," noted Cardoza. "Practices this year have been so much more competitive, it's really a good thing. The players know that if they aren't going to get it done, there's someone right behind them that will step up."
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.
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 much-needed depth in the paint.
In the back-court, Temple's returning guards 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. Williams, the program's all-time leader in three pointers and free throw percentage, has also joined the Temple staff this year as Assistant to the Head Coach.
With a deep squad of returners and many new faces that will contribute, the Temple team looks ready to avoid the early season struggles that plagued the Owls last year. The team once again has a tough non-conference slate, featuring a mix of Philadelphia Big 5 opponents, and solid out-of-region competition, including SEC-power, Florida. However, this Temple team is ready to take the next step.
2015-16 Media Guide
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