Women’s Basketball Drops at Villanova in Big 5 Opener

Sunday, November 19

Villanova, PA

2:00 PM EST

Temple University

2-3,0-0AAC

Villanova

2-1,0-0Big East

Temple

Villanova

Photo by: Zamani Feelings

Women’s Basketball Drops at Villanova in Big 5 Opener

11.19.23 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Temple women's basketball team (2-3) fell 90-62 to the Villanova Wildcats (2-1) Sunday afternoon at Finneran Pavilion. For the third time this season, three Owls or more scored in double-figures in Tarriyonna Gary, Aleah Nelson, and Rayne Tucker.

Lucy Olsen starred for Villanova scoring 40 points.

First Quarter: Temple 15, Villanova 20
> Both teams sunk baskets to start the contest, with Rayne Tucker hitting the first shot of the game for Temple.
> The Owls' defense made an impact early, holding the Wildcats to one of its first eight (12.5%).
> Gary led Temple in both points and rebounds early, scoring four and grabbing three boards in the first five minutes. Villanova led, 9-8 at the media timeout.
> The Big 5 rivals began to heat up as the quarter wound down. Neither side was able to gain much separation as the teams traded baskets. Villanova entered the first break up, 20-15.
> Gary led Temple with seven points and three rebounds.

Second Quarter: Temple 24, Villanova 43
> Villanova began the second quarter on an 11-2 run. Olsen scored 11 straight points beginning in the first quarter. The Wildcats began the second quarter 5-7 from the field (71.4%) to build a 33-17 lead.
> Strong effort plays by Piper helped the Owls score five straight to climb back into the game (33-22, VU).
> Villanova scored 10 of the final 12 in the period to push the lead back to 19 points.
> Olsen scored 26 points in the first half.

Third Quarter: Temple 47, Villanova 68
> The scoring came in bunches in the third quarter, with both sides hitting over 50% from the field in the first five minutes.
> Temple rallied for an 11-1 run late in the quarter highlighted by five points from Jaleesa Molina. The Owls' defense held Villanova with a field goal for the final four minutes of the frame.
> Nelson led all scorers in the quarter with seven points.

Fourth Quarter: Temple 62, Villanova 90
> Villanova began the quarter on a 9-2 run. Tucker scored the first points of the quarter for the Owls to push her into double figures.
> Nelson and Gary both scored late to climb into double figures.

Game Notes
> Nelson led Temple in scoring for the first time this season with 16 points.
> Tucker scored in double figures for the fourth time this season. She shot over 50% for the third time this season.
> Temple led in steals, 8-7, and blocks, 6-3
> Piper again showed herself to be a strong rim protector, recording three blocks for the second time this season.

Up Next
Temple returns to The Liacouras Center Wednesday for its second straight Big 5 contest against the Saint Joseph's Hawks. The game is part two of a double-header with the men's team, with tip set for approximately 6 p.m. The game will stream on ESPN+. Tickets are available to purchase at Owlstix.com.