Temple University Athletics
Tuesday, November 6
Philadelphia, Pa.
5:30 p.m.
Temple University
vs
Delaware State
Photo by: Mark Burch
Women's Basketball Hosts Delaware State in Tuesday's Season Opener
11.2.18 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA -- The Temple women's basketball team will open the 2018-19 season on Tuesday, hosting Delaware State at McGonigle Hall at 5:30 p.m. The Owls' men's team will continue the evening of basketball, hosting La Salle in the Liacouras Center at 7:30 p.m.
THE OWLS
> Temple hits the court a year after a disappointing 12-19 season. The Owls finished 11th in the American Athletic Conference with a 3-13 record, but upset sixth-seeded Wichita State to advance to the conference tournament quarterfinals.
> After losing the 2017-18 season to injury, graduate student Alliya Butts is back to lead the Owls for her fifth year, and she will be supported by a talented and more experienced group.
> Sophomore Mia Davis was second on the team last year in both scoring and rebounding, while Emani Mayo was third on the team in scoring and total assists.
> The rest of last year's freshman class -- Desiree Oliver and Breanna Perry -- both had solid rookie campaigns. Oliver, who missed nine games due to injury, still finished fourth in scoring and second in assists per game. Perry started 27 games last season and finished tied for second on the team in blocks.
> Also returning for the Owls is three-point threat Lena Niang, as well as post players, Shantay Taylor and Shannen Atkinson.
> Temple has a fantastic freshman class, with the team welcoming high-scoring rookies in guard Marissa Mackins and forward Alexa Williams. Another rookie, Destiny Samuel, will sit the season due to injury.
> The Owls have bulked up their depth with a pair of transfers. Chyna Nixon, who may be eligible for this season, comes to Temple from Ole Miss, where she made 25 starts as a rookie.
> Another transfer, Ashley Jones, will sit this season before hitting the court in 2019-20.
SCOUTING DELAWARE STATE
> Delaware State begins the 2018-19 season with a new head coach in David Caputo. Caputo takes over a team that went 6-24 overall with a 5-11 record in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
> The Hornets return first-team All-MEAC selection, NaJai Pollard, also a pre-season All-Conference pick. Pollard led the team with 18.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last year.
> Junior Lanayjha Ashe also returns for DSU, after averaging 11.2 points per game last season.
TEMPLE VS. DELAWARE STATE
> Temple is 4-0 all-time against Delaware State, with the first meeting coming in 1984.
LAST TIME THEY MET
> Last time they met, Temple cruised past the Hornet with a 96-72 win.
> Temple shot 45.9% from the field, holding Delaware State to 34.7%.
> The Owls led buzzer-to-buzzer using significant runs in the first and third quarters to earn the victory.
> Temple racked up 44 points in the paint, including a double-double from Davis with 21 points and 17 rebounds.
> Emani Mayo had a near flawless stat line, going 4-for-4 from the field with 10 points and a pair of assists without a turnover.
> Pollard led four Delaware State players in double-figures with 21 points, adding seven rebounds.
THE OWLS
> Temple hits the court a year after a disappointing 12-19 season. The Owls finished 11th in the American Athletic Conference with a 3-13 record, but upset sixth-seeded Wichita State to advance to the conference tournament quarterfinals.
> After losing the 2017-18 season to injury, graduate student Alliya Butts is back to lead the Owls for her fifth year, and she will be supported by a talented and more experienced group.
> Sophomore Mia Davis was second on the team last year in both scoring and rebounding, while Emani Mayo was third on the team in scoring and total assists.
> The rest of last year's freshman class -- Desiree Oliver and Breanna Perry -- both had solid rookie campaigns. Oliver, who missed nine games due to injury, still finished fourth in scoring and second in assists per game. Perry started 27 games last season and finished tied for second on the team in blocks.
> Also returning for the Owls is three-point threat Lena Niang, as well as post players, Shantay Taylor and Shannen Atkinson.
> Temple has a fantastic freshman class, with the team welcoming high-scoring rookies in guard Marissa Mackins and forward Alexa Williams. Another rookie, Destiny Samuel, will sit the season due to injury.
> The Owls have bulked up their depth with a pair of transfers. Chyna Nixon, who may be eligible for this season, comes to Temple from Ole Miss, where she made 25 starts as a rookie.
> Another transfer, Ashley Jones, will sit this season before hitting the court in 2019-20.
SCOUTING DELAWARE STATE
> Delaware State begins the 2018-19 season with a new head coach in David Caputo. Caputo takes over a team that went 6-24 overall with a 5-11 record in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
> The Hornets return first-team All-MEAC selection, NaJai Pollard, also a pre-season All-Conference pick. Pollard led the team with 18.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last year.
> Junior Lanayjha Ashe also returns for DSU, after averaging 11.2 points per game last season.
TEMPLE VS. DELAWARE STATE
> Temple is 4-0 all-time against Delaware State, with the first meeting coming in 1984.
LAST TIME THEY MET
> Last time they met, Temple cruised past the Hornet with a 96-72 win.
> Temple shot 45.9% from the field, holding Delaware State to 34.7%.
> The Owls led buzzer-to-buzzer using significant runs in the first and third quarters to earn the victory.
> Temple racked up 44 points in the paint, including a double-double from Davis with 21 points and 17 rebounds.
> Emani Mayo had a near flawless stat line, going 4-for-4 from the field with 10 points and a pair of assists without a turnover.
> Pollard led four Delaware State players in double-figures with 21 points, adding seven rebounds.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
F
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