Villanova Takes Tight Big 5 Battle Over Women's Basketball

Sunday, December 9

Villanova, Pa.

1:00 PM

Temple University

3-6

Villanova

7-2

Temple

Villanova

Photo by: Steve Woltmann

Villanova Takes Tight Big 5 Battle Over Women's Basketball

12.9.18 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

VILLANOVA, Pa. — The Temple women's basketball team forced 19 Villanova turnovers, but the Wildcats shot 54.2% to provide the edge in a 76-68 Philadelphia Big 5 battle in Villanova. The Owls dip to 3-6 overall (1-1 Big 5), while Villanova improves to 7-2 (3-0 Big 5) with the win.

Keys to the Game
> Temple rallied from a 10-point first half deficit to take the a 34-33 edge at the half, backed by an 11-0 closing run in the second quarter.
> Villanova answered by outscoring Temple 22-14 in the third quarter to lead by seven after three.
> The Owls cut the lead to four midway through the final frame, but Villanova surged over the final four minutes sealing the win.
> Temple racked up a season-best 13 steals, while shooting 42% from the field, but Villanova's 13 threes and accurate offense prevailed in the Big 5 battle.

Individual Highlights
> Sophomore Mia Davis was one rebound shy of her fourth-straight double-double with 22 points and nine boards. The forward was sidelined for a good portion of the fourth quarter having picked up a fourth foul in the third.
> Graduate student Alliya Butts scored 11 fourth quarter points to tie for game-high honors with 22 overall, while also adding six assists and three steals.
> Freshman Marissa Mackins netted 12 points and was the only Owl to hit a three in the game.
> Sophomore Desiree Oliver finished with seven points and a career-high four steals, while freshman Alexa Williamson had six rebounds and a pair of steals.

First Quarter
> A hot start from the Wildcats saw Villanova jump out to a 7-0 advantage.
> Temple closed the gap to three points twice, the last being 13-10 on a Mackins bucket.
> However, Villanova used an 8-2 run to go up 21-12 before a Butts basket closed it to 21-14.

Second Quarter
> Temple got the lead down to six on a Williamson steal and lay-up, before Villanova used back-to-back threes to take their largest lead of the game, 33-23, with 5:01 to play.
> From there, the Owls did not allow a point, while the Owls closed the half on an 11-0 run to take their first lead of the game, 34-33.
> Davis keyed Temple's run with nine of Temple's 11 points, while the Owls forced six Villanova turnovers during the stretch.

Third Quarter
> Back-and-forth action opened up the third quarter, as the teams traded baskets, neither going ahead by more than three.
> Tied 46-46, Villanova closed the frame on a 9-2 run to lead 55-48 after three.

Fourth Quarter
> Temple made it a four point game as late as 5:22 on the clock, as Butts scored the first eight Owls' points in the frame.
> Down just four, Temple allowed a 10-0 Villanova run, as the Wildcats got the final sure they needed.

Up Next:
> Temple is off for finals and will return to action at #22/24 South Carolina on Friday, December 21.