Temple University Athletics
Temple University
6-6,0-0AAC
Northwestern
5-7,0-1Big Ten
Women’s Basketball Falls in Heartbreaker to Northwestern, 72-68
12.21.23 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA – The Temple women's basketball team (6-6, 0-0 AAC) dropped to the Northwestern Wildcats (5-7, 0-1 Big Ten), 72-68. This is the Owls' first loss since 12/2. Temple will carry an even 6-6 record into conference play. Temple grabbed 27 offensive rebounds, its most in a game since 2014.
Rayne Tucker starred for the Owls, putting together her best game of the season. The forward set new season highs in points (19), rebounds (13), and assists (5, also a career-high). Tiarra East also impressed with her second 20+ point game of the season, the junior put up 20 points.
First Quarter: Temple 18, Northwestern 15
> East scored five of the first seven points for Temple as the Owls held an early 7-5 lead.
> The Owls' trademark turnover-heavy defense stood out in the first few minutes as Temple forced four turnovers in a three minute span. The Cherry & White jumped out to an eight point lead via a 9-0 run (13-5), East scored seven points in the first five minutes.
> Northwestern scored the next seven points to trim the lead to a point with just over two minutes remaining in the quarter, 13-12.
> A three-pointer by Northwestern with 27 seconds remaining tied the game at 15-15. East responded with a three-pointer right before the buzzer to give the Owls an 18-15 lead at the end of the first frame.
Second Quarter: Temple 30, Northwestern 26
> Rayne Tucker scored the first four points of the quarter (22-15, TU). Temple's defense held Northwestern without points for the first 2:30 of the frame.
> East stayed in rhythm in the second quarter, hitting a three midway through the frame that extended Temple's lead to double digits with 4:43 remaining in the half. (28-17, TU).
> A 7-0 run by the Wildcats trimmed the Owls' advantage to 28-24 with just over one minute left in the half.
> Tucker's layup with :18 seconds put Temple at 30 points, Northwestern added a bucket as the clock expired to put the halftime score a 30-26, Owls.
>The Owls held a sizable advantage on the boards in the first half, out rebounding the Wildcats 27-17. East led all scorers with 14 points in the first, Rayne Tucker added 10 points and nine rebounds.
Third Quarter: Temple 45, Northwestern 49
> The Wildcats started the quarter off on a 6-0 run to force a Temple timeout (32-30, TU).
> Temple found the bottom of the basket again, with Ines Piper and Tucker scoring to tie things up at 34.
> A 4-0 run by Northwestern leading into the media timeout put the Wildcats up 38-34 with 4:22 remaining in the quarter.
> A timely three-pointer by Aleah Nelson with 2:29 remaining in the quarter capped a 5-0 run by the Owls that cut the deficit to 42-40.
> After a flurry of scores by both teams, the score was knotted at 45-45 with under one minute to go. Two late free throws and a last-second layup pushed Northwestern ahead 49-45 with one quarter remaining.
Fourth Quarter: Temple 68, Northwestern 72
> Northwestern started off the fourth on a 6-2 run, extending its lead to 55-47 with 8:05 remaining. Temple responded with a 4-0 run of its own to pull back within four points (55-51, NW).
> The Wildcats scored nine of the next 12 points to build a ten point advantage (64-54, NW).
> Out of the media timeout, East hit a three to cut the lead down to seven followed by two free throws from Northwestern.
> Consecutive baskets in the paint by the Owls cut the Wildcats' lead to 66-61 with 1:12 remaining in the game.
> The Owls fought until the end, behind a late run from Nelson. She scored six unanswered points to cut the deficit to 70-68 with 8.1 seconds remaining.Northwestern hit two free throws to ice the game.
Statistically Speaking
> Rayne Tucker recorded a double-double, which marks the third time she has done so this season and the eighth time in her career. Her 10 offensive rebounds are the most since Taylor Robinson grabbed 10 against Penn on 1-22-14.
> Tiarra East set a new career high in three pointers made, with three. She set this career high just midway through the second quarter.
> Rayne Tucker set new season highs in points (19), rebounds (13), and assists (5). Her five assists are also a new career high.
> The Owls out rebounded the Wildcats 44-37, and held a 27-6 advantage in offensive rebounds.
Up Next
> The Owls will take a nine day holiday break before opening conference play with UTSA on Dec. 30 at 1 p.m. The game will stream on ESPN+ and the Varsity Network App, tickets are available to purchase at Owlstix.com.
