Temple University Athletics
Temple University
9-12, 1-7AAC
SMU
8-14, 2-7AAC
Women's Basketball Lets Fourth Quarter Lead Slip Away at SMU
1.31.18 | Women's Basketball
DALLAS -- The Temple women's basketball team led for over 30 minutes of play, but let a fourth quarter lead slip away, as the Owls fell 60-56 on the road at SMU. Temple falls to 9-12 overall, 1-7 in conference play, while the Mustangs improve to 8-14, 2-7 in The American.
KEYS TO THE GAME
> After shooting 57.1% in the first quarter, Temple shot just 26% the rest of the way.
> SMU meanwhile, shot 61.5% (8-13) in the fourth quarter to grab the come-from-behind win.
> For the game, SMU out-rebounded the Owls, 46-39, while forcing 19 Temple turnovers.
INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS
> Freshman Emani Mayo finished the game with a career-best 20 points, topping the 19 she scored against Hampton in December.
> Senior Tanaya Atkinson tallied a double-double with 11 points and a game-best 12 rebounds.
> Freshman Mia Davis had nine points with six rebounds and two steals.
> Grad student Mykia Jones finished with six points, while rookie Desiree Oliver had five.
FIRST QUARTER
> Both teams used long runs in the frame, starting with Temple's 11-2 surge to open play.
> SMU responded with a 14-5 run to tie things at 16-16 with 1:14 remaining.
> Temple grabbed the lead after one, with five unanswered, including a three from Jones and a fast-break lay-up from Mayo.
SECOND QUARTER
> A low scoring second quarter saw SMU out-score the Owls, 9-6.
> Temple pushed its lead to six (24-18) on a three from Jones, before SMU went on a 7-2 run to make it 26-25.
> The Owls got a free throw at 2:13 to close out a sloppy second quarter, as Temple led 27-25 at the break.
THIRD QUARTER
> SMU tied the game twice early in the frame, the last at 31-31 with 6:28 on the clock.
> Temple responded with a 6-0 surge putting the visitors up 37-31.
> The Owls' lead grew to 40-34 on a steal and lay-up from Mayo, but SMU closed the frame with a jumper to make it 40-36 after three.
FOURTH QUARTER
> SMU opened the fourth quarter with six unanswered points to take their first lead since the first quarter, 42-40 with 6:47 to play.
> Temple got the lead back with an 8-2 surge to lead 48-44.
> From there, SMU got hot from long range, as a pair of threes sparked an 8-0 run to make it 42-48 with 2:30 on the clock.
> Temple cut the lead to two twice down the stretch, including a Khadijah Berger three that made it 56-54 with 35 seconds remaining.
> Trailing 57-54 the Owls had a chance to tie it on their next possession, but a three fell short, and Temple was forced to foul.
> SMU then made enough free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
UP NEXT
> Temple continues the American season on Saturday at home against Tulsa.
> The Owls and the Hurricane will tip-off at 1:00 p.m. at McGonigle Hall.
