East Leads Owls Past Bulls, 59-55

Saturday, February 10

Philadelphia, Pa.

3:00 PM EST

Temple University

13-10,7-4AAC

South Florida

14-11,6-6AAC

South Fla.

Temple

Photo by: Robin Hsiao

East Leads Owls Past Bulls, 59-55

2.10.24 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Post Game Press Conference

PHILADELPHIA – Tiarra East had her fourth game this season with 20 or more points and Tarriyona Gary came up with a game-clinching steal as the Temple Women's Basketball team (13-10, 7-4 AAC) came up with a key 59-55 win against South Florida (14-11, 6-6 AAC) on Saturday afternoon.

BY THE NUMBERS
> East led the Owls with 21 points. She scored 14 of Temple's 24 first half points. The Louisville, Ky. native also pulled in six rebounds.
> Rayne Tucker contributed with nine points and six boards, adding a pair of blocks.
> Aleah Nelson tied a season-high with six rebounds, scoring seven.
> Tarriyona Gary netted eight, all of them in the fourth quarter.
> The Owls held South Florida to 30.0 percent from the floor, matching its second best defensive effort of the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED
> Neither team shot particularly well early on, but USF was able to grab the early advantage thanks to second chance points with a rebounding edge. The Owls defense also played a large part in a low scoring first quarter as they forced four South Florida turnovers in a five-minute stretch to end the period. South Florida held a four-point lead at the conclusion of the first frame.
> East got the second frame off to a good start, connecting on a try during Temple's opening possession. That started a 9-0 run for the Owls, which included the first lead of the game for TU and forced a Bulls timeout three minutes into the quarter. As the offense started its ascent, the defense continued to smother USF, forcing it to an 0-for-13 start to the frame. The Bulls didn't tally their first points in the period until the 1:32 mark with those coming at the line. Once it did score, however, South Florida netted a quick seven in a row, but Temple maintained a 24-17 lead at intermission.
> Opening the second half, USF started off strong from beyond the arc, hitting a trio of three-pointers in the opening five minutes, closing the gap to 34-33. Temple hung tough despite South Florida's offensive spurt, with the Bulls holding just a 42-38 lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
> It looked like USF would start to run away with the game, building a 47-40 lead 2:44 into the fourth, but Temple battled back, as Gary connected on a triple with 2:14 remaining, capping a 14-6 run that pushed the Owls up 54-53.
> With the game tied at 55-55 and under 45 seconds remaining, Aerial Wilson found a cutting Inez Piper for a layup that gave TU the lead. On the ensuing defensive possession, Gary stepped into the passing lane and came up with a steal, leading to a fastbreak bucket by Nelson to seal the victory.

GAME NOTES
> Today's game was Temple's Play4Kay game, which raises funds for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Yow was a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal winning coach who united the sports world in an effort to fight against cancer affecting women. The Owls sported pink pregame attire and gear during the game. More information and a link to donate can be found here
https://kayyow.com/play4kay/
> Kia Johnson, a member of the Owls from 1983-86, was honored by the T Club during the game for her continued support of female athletes in recognition o National GIrls and Women in Sport Day.

UP NEXT
Temple heads out on the road to tale on UAB on Wednesday, February 14. Tipoff from Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala. Is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST.