Temple University Athletics
Temple University
11-17,6-10AAC
SMU
16-11,7-8AAC
Garner Shines on Senior Night as Women’s Basketball Defeats SMU, 68-62
3.1.23 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA – Temple (11-17, 6-10 AAC) defeated the SMU Mustangs (16-11, 7-8 AAC) 68-62 on Wednesday night. Senior forward Brittany Garner had her best game of the season, scoring a season-best 15 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
Jessica Peterson led the Mustangs in scoring with 19 points. With the win, Temple secures the nine seed in the AAC tournament Monday in the 2 p.m. window on ESPN+.
First Quarter: Temple 19, SMU 22
> The game started off with a basket from Garner on the opening possession. The two sides traded blows, with SMU holding a 12-9 advantage at the first media timeout
> SMU scored six of the next nine, with the lone basket coming in form of a three from Aleah Nelson (18-14, SMU).
> The Owls and Mustangs continued to trade baskets. SMU held a three-point lead at the end of the first.
> Garner stood out in the first, with four points and three rebounds.
Second Quarter: Temple 32, SMU 29
> Temple battled back in the first five minutes of the quarter, with the Owls retaking the lead at 25-24 on a Tarriyonna Gary three ball.
> TU got hot, putting in four straight from the field and taking a 30-26 lead including a three from Tiarra East.
> The Owls extended the lead to 32-27 on a Gary layup. SMU scored three to close the gap going into the half.
> Gary led the team with nine points at the break.
Third Quarter: Temple 48, SMU 40
> Temple came out aggressive in the third quarter, growing the lead to five points (35-30, TU) with a quick three-pointer from Gary.
> Garner reached double figures with an and-one in the paint at the 3:40 mark, extending Temple's advantage to 42-37.
> The run continued with Makayla Waleed's first career three, the Owls stretched the lead to 10 with an and-one by Tiarra East with 1:44 remaining in the quarter. SMU scored a late bucket to cut the lead down to eight.
> Garner scored five points and grabbed three rebounds in the frame.
Fourth Quarter: Temple 68, SMU 62
> The teams combined for two total points in the first two minutes of the quarter. SMU snapped the cold stretch with a three (50-43, TU).
> The Mustangs cut the lead to one at 4:38 mark of the fourth quarter forcing a Temple timeout. Out of the timeout, East scored an and-one to put the Owls back up 55-51. After a basket on the other end, the SMU bench was issued a technical foul, giving Temple two free throws.
> SMU tied the game at 59-59 with 2:21 remaining in regulation. A three-pointer by Gary two possessions later put Temple back in control. East scored a layup on the ensuing offensive possession gave the Owls a 64-59 lead and forced the Mustangs to take a timeout.
> Out of the timeout, a three-pointer from SMU's Jasmine Smith cut Temple's lead to 64-62 with 49 seconds remaining. A big steal and fastbreak score by East put the Owls up 66-62 with 23 seconds remaining. Two free throws from East sealed the game for the Owls.
Game Notes
> Garner's 15 points are a season-high.
> Piper's four-block performance marks the fourth time this season she has recorded three or more blocks in a game.
> East's 21 points is the fourth time she scored 20 or more this season.
Up Next
> Temple begins play in the AAC conference tournament Monday at 2 on ESPN+. Temple will enter the tournament as the nine seed and will play the eight seed (TBD).
