Women’s Basketball Edges La Salle in Big 5 Action

Monday, December 30

Philadelphia, Pa.

7:00 PM

Temple University

7-6,0-1AAC

La Salle

6-7,0-0Atlantic 10

Temple

La Salle

Women’s Basketball Edges La Salle in Big 5 Action

12.30.19 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA — Marissa Mackins recorded a career-high 28 points as the Temple women's basketball team won a close 72-69 over Big 5 rival La Salle Monday evening at Tom Gola Arena. The Owls improve to 7-6 on the year while the Explorers drop to 6-7.

Keys to the Game
> Temple shot 93.3% (14-15) from the foul line, while the Explorers finished with a 47.1% free throw percentage (8-17).
> The Explorers outshot Temple 44.6% to 36.9% from the floor and 39.3% to 33.3% from three-point range.
> Temple held the edge on the boards, outrebounding La Salle 49-28.
> The Owls relied heavily on Mackins and Ashley Jones, who combined for 51 of Temple's 72 points.

Individual Highlights
> Mackins knocked down a career-best seven three-pointers as she led all players with her 28 points.
> Jones added 23 points and nine rebounds for the Owls.
> Lena Niang also collected nine boards while adding seven points, two blocks and two assists.
> Rookie Asonah Alexander registered a team-high five assists and added five rebounds.
> Shannen Atkinson and Alexa Williamson each chipped in six points for Temple.

First Quarter
> The Explorers went 5-for-5 from three-point range in the first quarter as they outscored Temple 25-13.
> Following two good foul shots from Atkinson, La Salle went on a 10-0 run over the first five minutes to take a comfortable lead.
> Jones tried to create a spark for the Owls after getting fouled on a made bucket and netting the extra point, but Amy Jacobs answered with a three to put the Explorers up 13-5.
> Despite collecting nine offensive rebounds in the first frame, the Owls went 3-for-22 from the floor and were unable to convert their boards into second-chance points.

Second Quarter
> Temple spent the first few minutes of the second quarter trailing until Mackins knocked down two treys and a layup to bring the Owls within three points.
> Back-to-back layups from Jones and Mackins sent Temple past the Explorers for their first lead of the game.
> The Owls outscored La Salle 25-10 in the second stanza to hold a 38-35 lead at the half.

Third Quarter
> The Owls extended their lead to eight at the start of the second half thanks to a layup from Atkinson and a Mackins three, but Shalina Miller responded with a three-pointer and a layup to bring the Explorers within three.
> La Salle finished the third quarter on a 7-0 run, as the Owls were unable to score over the final five minutes.

Fourth Quarter
> Mackins opened the final quarter with a long range shot to give Temple a five-point boost.
> La Salle regained the lead at the 4:07 mark after Kayla Braxton-Young stole the ball and dished it to A. Jacobs for a layup to cap off a 7-0 run by the Explorers.
> After the teams traded jumpers, Mackins gave Temple a two-point edge on another one of her threes before Claire Jacobs knocked down a three at 2:29 to put La Salle back on top.
> Mackins then answered with her seventh three of the night to give the Owls a lead they would not give up.
> Temple finished the final quarter 4-for-5 from beyond the arc to register an 80% three-point percentage.

Up Next
> The Owls head to Tulsa, Okla. on Saturday, Jan. 4 to take on the Golden Hurricane for their first conference matchup of the New Year.