Temple University Athletics
Saturday, March 4
Uncasville, Conn. - Mohegan Sun Arena
6:00 p.m.
Temple University
24-6
67
vs
58
Houston
12-19
1
2
3
4
F
Houston
10
15
11
22
58
Temple
15
13
16
23
67
Photo by: Ben Solomon/American Athletic Conference
Fitzgerald Sets American Tournament Scoring Record in TUWBB Win
3.4.17 | Women's Basketball
UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- Temple senior Feyonda Fitzgerald set a new American Athletic Conference tournament record, pouring in 30 points as the second-seeded Owls topped 10th-seeded Houston, 67-58, in quarterfinal action on Saturday night. The Owls improved to 24-6 overall with the win, while Houston ends its season at 12-19.
Fitzgerald and juniors Alliya Butts and Tanaya Atkinson combined for all but two of Temple's 67 points, as Butts finished with 19 points, and Atkinson had 16. Fitzgerald rounded out her night with a game-best seven assists, while Butts had two steals. Atkinson ended with a double-double, also pulling down 12 rebounds.
Though Temple's guards accounted for night's scoring, seniors Ruth Sherrill and Safiya Martin each played major roles in the victory. Sherrill pulled down a game-best 15 rebounds, helping Temple to a 40-33 advantage on the glass. Martin added seven rebounds, tying a season high with four blocks.
A slow start for both teams saw Houston strike first, well over three minutes into play, but Temple got five points from Butts to lead 7-5 early. Houston tied things at 7-7, but Fitzgerald keyed an 8-0 run to put Temple up 15-7 before a Houston three in the final seconds made it 15-10 after one.
Houston opened the second on a 5-9 run to knot things at 15-15, before the Owls took a 19-16 advantage on an Atkinson baseline jumper. The Cougars again responded, this time taking the lead, as Angela Harris nailed a three from the corner making it 22-21 Houston with 5:49 to play. Temple was able to re-gain an advantage, closing the frame with a 7-3 run to lead 28-25 at the break.
Fitzgerald led all players with 12 points and four assists at the half, while Butts had eight points and Atkinson, six. Sherrill's nine rebounds led the Owls to a 22-8 advantage on the glass. For Houston, Angela Harris had eight points, while Serithia Hawkins had five rebounds.
Led by seven points from Fitzgerald, the Owls came out hot for the third quarter, quickly building a 37-27 lead, their largest of the game thus far. Houston countered with a 7-2 surge to make it a five-point game, but Temple got a pair of free throws from Atkinson and a Butts three to go up 44-36 after three.
In the fourth quarter, Temple worked around full-court pressure from Houston, extending the lead to a game-high 15 points with 3:29 on the clock. Houston got no closer than nine the rest of the way, as the Owls pulled out the victory.
Box Score (PDF) | Postgame Press Conference | Highlights
Fitzgerald and juniors Alliya Butts and Tanaya Atkinson combined for all but two of Temple's 67 points, as Butts finished with 19 points, and Atkinson had 16. Fitzgerald rounded out her night with a game-best seven assists, while Butts had two steals. Atkinson ended with a double-double, also pulling down 12 rebounds.
Though Temple's guards accounted for night's scoring, seniors Ruth Sherrill and Safiya Martin each played major roles in the victory. Sherrill pulled down a game-best 15 rebounds, helping Temple to a 40-33 advantage on the glass. Martin added seven rebounds, tying a season high with four blocks.
A slow start for both teams saw Houston strike first, well over three minutes into play, but Temple got five points from Butts to lead 7-5 early. Houston tied things at 7-7, but Fitzgerald keyed an 8-0 run to put Temple up 15-7 before a Houston three in the final seconds made it 15-10 after one.
Houston opened the second on a 5-9 run to knot things at 15-15, before the Owls took a 19-16 advantage on an Atkinson baseline jumper. The Cougars again responded, this time taking the lead, as Angela Harris nailed a three from the corner making it 22-21 Houston with 5:49 to play. Temple was able to re-gain an advantage, closing the frame with a 7-3 run to lead 28-25 at the break.
Fitzgerald led all players with 12 points and four assists at the half, while Butts had eight points and Atkinson, six. Sherrill's nine rebounds led the Owls to a 22-8 advantage on the glass. For Houston, Angela Harris had eight points, while Serithia Hawkins had five rebounds.
Led by seven points from Fitzgerald, the Owls came out hot for the third quarter, quickly building a 37-27 lead, their largest of the game thus far. Houston countered with a 7-2 surge to make it a five-point game, but Temple got a pair of free throws from Atkinson and a Butts three to go up 44-36 after three.
In the fourth quarter, Temple worked around full-court pressure from Houston, extending the lead to a game-high 15 points with 3:29 on the clock. Houston got no closer than nine the rest of the way, as the Owls pulled out the victory.
Box Score (PDF) | Postgame Press Conference | Highlights
Team Stats
HOU
TEM
FG%
.400
.403
3FG%
.286
.300
FT%
.571
.733
RB
33
40
TO
17
11
STL
4
3
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
30
FGM
10
3FGM
2
FTM
8
Pts
19
FGM
7
3FGM
4
FTM
1
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
2
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's BasketballF
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