Temple University Athletics
Temple University
7-6,1-0AAC
UTSA
6-6,0-1AAC
Women's Basketball Defeats UTSA, 71-58
12.30.23 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA – The Temple women's basketball team (7-6, 1-0 AAC) defeated the UTSA Roadrunners (6-6, 0-1 AAC), 71-58. This marks the fifth straight season that Temple has won its American Athletic Conference opening matchup.
For the fourth time this season, at least five players scored in double figures (East, Gary, Nelson, Piper, and Tucker). Rayne Tucker put up 10 points and 11 rebounds, her third double-double in the last four games. In the fourth quarter, she grabbed her 500th career rebound.
First Quarter: Temple 15, UTSA 14
> The Owls started off strong, scoring the first four points of the game off jumpers from Tiarra East and Ines Piper. Temple built an 8-2 lead out of the gates, prompting UTSA to call its first timeout with 6:23 remaining in the quarter.
> The Roadrunners clawed back into contention with a three-pointer by Kyra White that trimmed the Owls' lead to 10-7 with 2:48 left in the frame.
> After UTSA went on a 10-2 run to take a 14-12 lead, Tarriyonna Gary ended the first quarter with a three-pointer with six seconds left in the quarter that put Temple up 15-14 after the first period.
> Aleah Nelson led all players with six points in the first quarter.
Second Quarter: Temple 29, UTSA 28
> Temple built a 21-16 lead early in the second, as Piper converted a deep two-pointer with 6:52 remaining in the period. The basket was part of an 8-0 run for the Owls that put the home team up 23-16.
> A timely three-pointer by UTSA's Aysia Proctor ended Temple's run and cut the lead to 23-19. WIth 4:06 left in the half, the Roadrunners tied the game at 25-25.
> After over two minutes without a basket by either team, Nelson hit a mid range jumper that put the Owls up 27-26 with 1:57 remaining in the first half. The teams traded late close range buckets to end the half.
> Five different Owls scored in the quarter. Nelson led all players with 10 first half points.
Third Quarter: Temple 51, UTSA 45
> Both teams exchanged points in the early stages of the third quarter, as UTSA built a narrow 35-33 lead with 6:40 remaining in the third quarter. Rayne Tucker's offensive rebound and putback leveled the game at 35-35 on the ensuing possession.
> Gary converted her second three-pointer of the game with just over five minutes to go in the quarter (38-37, TU)
> Temple came out hot of the media timeout. Tristen Taylor scored her first points of the game followed by a UTSA turnover and a basket from Ines Piper (42-39 TU).
> A deep two-pointer by Piper with 1:10 remaining in the quarter ignited the crowd and gave the Owls a 48-41 lead. The Cherry & White built its biggest lead of the game with a three-pointer by Tristen Taylor with 38 seconds remaining (51-43, TU)
> The Roadrunners converted a three-pointer just before the end of the quarter to cut the Owls' lead to 51-46 heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter: Temple 71, UTSA 58
> UTSA opened the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run to take a 53-51 lead.
> The Owls retook a 57-53 lead with 7:32 remaining in the game, behind a corner three by East. She followed up with a made jump shot on the following possession to cap a 7-0 run that put the Owls up by four.
> Temple built a lead of any many as nine points with 4:25 remaining on the clock (64-55, TU). UTSA attempted to climb back with three straight points, but Temple slammed the door, bringing the lead to double digits (68-58).
> Temple held on to win, 71-58 to start the conference season 1-0.
Game Notes
> With the victory, Temple is 9-2 all-time in AAC openers.
> This was the first time the Owls have ever played UTSA.
> Nelson has scored in double figures 78 times in her career, including 32 times in Cherry & White. She has scored in double figures in three out of her last four games.
> Aleah Nelson has now scored 1,428 points in her career, she is now 72 points from 1,500.
Statistically Speaking
> Tarriyonna Gary tied her season-high in rebounds with four. Gary shot 57.1 percent from the field.
> Rayne Tucker recorded her fifth double-double of the season, and third in the last four games. It is also her fourth straight game with rebounds in double-figures. She is the first player to record back-to-back double-doubles since program all-time leading scorer Mia Davis in November of 2021.
> Temple scored 22 points off turnovers.
Up Next
> The Owls cap off a three-game homestand with its second straight visit from an AAC newcomer in North Texas on Tuesday. The game will tip-off at 7 p.m. on ESPN+ and The Varsity Network App. Tickets are available at Owlstix.com.
