Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Zamani Feelings
Women’s Basketball to Face Houston for the Second Time in Two Weeks
2.16.23 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA – The Temple women's basketball team (10-14, 5-7 AAC) hits the floor for the first time in a week this Saturday as the Owls hosted the Houston Cougars (10-14, 7-4 AAC). Houston currently sits in second place in the American, with the Cougars earning an impressive victory at No. 24 South Florida last weekend.
PROMOTIONS/THEMES
> Stars of Honor: Local elementary school children will be recognized on the court at halftime for their success in the classroom.
> Parent-Child Layup Day: Kids in 6th grade and younger – with an accompanying adult – can score a basket on the court following the game.
> Block Party - Students will be counting blocks with large block signs. If the team records five or more blocks, everyone in attendance will receive a promo code for half-price tickets to the game on 3/1.
> Be Kind To Your Mind- The game will be themed to mental health awareness, with PA reads and a Be Kind to Your Mind video. The team will also be wearing be kind to your mind shirts during pregame warmups to raise awareness for mental health.
LAST TIME OUT: Cincinnati 74 @ Temple 66 (OT)
> Temple fell to Cincinnati in its first overtime game of the season.
> The contest was tight from end to end, with 24 lead changes and 22 ties. The Owls had a chance to win the game on the final possession of regulation, but a shot from Aleah Nelson hit off the front of the rim.
> Nelson and Tiarra East both impressed, scoring 19 points each.
THE OWLS
> Nelson sits in sixth in the American in scoring (15.6 ppg) and third in assists (4.2 apg). She has scored in double-figures in each of the last eight games. The point guard tied her career-high in minutes last game with 42.
> Tiarra East ranks second on the team in scoring (11.9 ppg) and leads the Owls in rebounding (6.0 rpg). East has now seen double-figures in six straight games. Her current scoring average is the highest it has been at any point in her career.
> Forward Caranda Perea is having far and away the best stretch of games in her career thus far. Over her last four games she is scoring 11.5 ppg pulling down 8.5 rpg, both career bests over any time in her career.
SCOUTING HOUSTON
> Houston has been up and down the last few years in the American. Last season, the Cougars finished sixth in the league with a 7-9 record. Early in the conference season, they lost six straight games. The team advanced to the WNIT where they advanced to the quarterfinals.
> The squad is 10-14 this season and 7-4 in conference. Houston started the season off 3-10 in out of conference play but have been much better in conference. Houston is the only team this season in the AAC to defeat South Florida, doing so on the road.
> Houston's signature is defense. The team ranks second nationally in steals per game (13.5) and third in forced turnovers per game (24.9). Houston is fifth in the country in three-point percentage defense (24.6).
> Ronald Hughey is in his ninth season leading the Cougars, he is 117-152 at the helm. Prior to coming to H-town, he was an assistant with Florida State, Texas, and Rutgers.
SERIES HISTORY
> Temple and Houston have played each other every season since Temple joined the AAC in 2013. The Owls are 12-6 all-time against the Cougars.
> Temple won the first eight matchups between the two. Houston has won four of the last five.
> The two met only two weeks ago in Houston for a 65-60 thriller resulting in a Houston victory. The Owls had a chance to tie the game late but turned the ball over on their final possession.
UP NEXT
> Temple hits the road for its final road stretch of the season. The Owls will face UCF in Orlando on Feb. 21 (6 p.m./ESPN+/Varsity Network App).
PROMOTIONS/THEMES
> Stars of Honor: Local elementary school children will be recognized on the court at halftime for their success in the classroom.
> Parent-Child Layup Day: Kids in 6th grade and younger – with an accompanying adult – can score a basket on the court following the game.
> Block Party - Students will be counting blocks with large block signs. If the team records five or more blocks, everyone in attendance will receive a promo code for half-price tickets to the game on 3/1.
> Be Kind To Your Mind- The game will be themed to mental health awareness, with PA reads and a Be Kind to Your Mind video. The team will also be wearing be kind to your mind shirts during pregame warmups to raise awareness for mental health.
LAST TIME OUT: Cincinnati 74 @ Temple 66 (OT)
> Temple fell to Cincinnati in its first overtime game of the season.
> The contest was tight from end to end, with 24 lead changes and 22 ties. The Owls had a chance to win the game on the final possession of regulation, but a shot from Aleah Nelson hit off the front of the rim.
> Nelson and Tiarra East both impressed, scoring 19 points each.
THE OWLS
> Nelson sits in sixth in the American in scoring (15.6 ppg) and third in assists (4.2 apg). She has scored in double-figures in each of the last eight games. The point guard tied her career-high in minutes last game with 42.
> Tiarra East ranks second on the team in scoring (11.9 ppg) and leads the Owls in rebounding (6.0 rpg). East has now seen double-figures in six straight games. Her current scoring average is the highest it has been at any point in her career.
> Forward Caranda Perea is having far and away the best stretch of games in her career thus far. Over her last four games she is scoring 11.5 ppg pulling down 8.5 rpg, both career bests over any time in her career.
SCOUTING HOUSTON
> Houston has been up and down the last few years in the American. Last season, the Cougars finished sixth in the league with a 7-9 record. Early in the conference season, they lost six straight games. The team advanced to the WNIT where they advanced to the quarterfinals.
> The squad is 10-14 this season and 7-4 in conference. Houston started the season off 3-10 in out of conference play but have been much better in conference. Houston is the only team this season in the AAC to defeat South Florida, doing so on the road.
> Houston's signature is defense. The team ranks second nationally in steals per game (13.5) and third in forced turnovers per game (24.9). Houston is fifth in the country in three-point percentage defense (24.6).
> Ronald Hughey is in his ninth season leading the Cougars, he is 117-152 at the helm. Prior to coming to H-town, he was an assistant with Florida State, Texas, and Rutgers.
SERIES HISTORY
> Temple and Houston have played each other every season since Temple joined the AAC in 2013. The Owls are 12-6 all-time against the Cougars.
> Temple won the first eight matchups between the two. Houston has won four of the last five.
> The two met only two weeks ago in Houston for a 65-60 thriller resulting in a Houston victory. The Owls had a chance to tie the game late but turned the ball over on their final possession.
UP NEXT
> Temple hits the road for its final road stretch of the season. The Owls will face UCF in Orlando on Feb. 21 (6 p.m./ESPN+/Varsity Network App).
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, June 02
Saturday, May 30
Tuesday, May 19
Tuesday, May 05
