Hot Shooting Performance from Gary Leads Women’s Basketball to Fifth Straight Win

Sunday, February 25

Houston, Texas

3:00 PM EST

Temple University

17-10,11-4AAC

Rice

15-12,9-7AAC

Temple

Rice

Photo by: Tim McCall

Hot Shooting Performance from Gary Leads Women’s Basketball to Fifth Straight Win

2.25.24 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Game Book Postgame Press Conference

HOUSTON, Texas – The Temple Women's Basketball team (17-10, 11-4 AAC) defeated the Rice Owls (15-12, 9-7 AAC), 75-66, on the road at Tudor Fieldhouse in Houston, Texas for its fifth consecutive victory.

Scorching three-point shooting from Temple was the highlight, led by 5-5 shooting from long range by Tarriyonna Gary and 4-4 shooting from three-point range by Tristen Taylor. She led the Owls with 20 points on the day. Five Temple players scored in double figures today, including double-doubles by Tiarra East and Rayne Tucker.

First Quarter: Temple 26, Rice 16

> Tarriyonna Gary nailed the opening basket of the game on a jump shot from the wing. Temple started the game off on a 6-0 run that prompted Rice to burn an early timeout with 8:08 remaining in the first period.

> Gary opened the quarter strong, scoring seven of the Owls' first 11 points as the Cherry & White built an early advantage (11-4, TU).

> Consecutive three-pointers by Rice helped spark an 8-0 run that trimmed Temple's lead to 13-12 with 3:41 remaining in the quarter. Aleah Nelson ended the run with a three of her own (16-12, TU).

> Gary hit another three with 1:44 remaining to put Temple back up 21-16. She finished the quarter with 13 of the Owls' 26 first-quarter points.

Second Quarter: Temple 41, Rice 31

> In the opening of the second quarter, Rice and Temple exchanged free-throws, while a three from Tristen Taylor helped the Owls extend their lead (32-19, TU).

> Rice embarked on a 6-0 run that trimmed Temple's lead to 32-25. Tiara East ended the run with a mid range jump shot before Aleah Nelson added an and-one in traffic to put Temple back up by 12 with 4:12 remaining in the half (37-25, TU).

> Nelson nailed a second-chance jump shot with two seconds remaining in the half, before Rice converted two free-throws. The Cherry & White went into the break at halftime with a 10-point advantage.

>Statistically both teams were fairly even in the first half with the exception of Temple's 11-2 advantage in second chance points.

> Gary led the Owls in scoring with 14 first-half points off 5-6 shooting from the field and 3-3 shooting from three-point range. Nelson and East added eight points each, as Temple shot 16-37 (43.2%) from the field as a team.

Third Quarter: Temple 63, Rice 49

> Both teams exchanged two baskets in the early stages of the third quarter, as Temple held a 45-35 lead through the first two and a half minutes.

> Gary converted her fourth three-pointer of the game, stretching the Owls' lead to 12 points at the third quarter media timeout with 4:58 remaining in the quarter (50-38, TU).

> Rice hit a three-pointer to cut the Temple lead to seven, but Tristan Taylor came down the floor and hit a three-pointer of her own to put Temple back ahead by double-figures at a 2:16 break (55-45, TEM). Taylor's next two shots were also made threes giving Temple its largest lead of the game at 14. (61-47, TEM).

Fourth Quarter: Temple 75, Rice 66

> Gary remained in good form to open up the fourth quarter, converting her fifth three-pointer of the day to give the Cherry & White a 66-49 lead with 9:46 remaining in the game.

> Rice pushed back with a 6-0 run that trimmed Temple's lead to 11, but Rayne Tucker responded with a post basket at the 4:26 mark to end the run (68-55, TU).

> Rice cut the lead to single digits with two free-throws with 2:42 remaining in regulation (68-59, TU).

> Temple held off any late rally from Rice, walking off victorious with a nine-point victory in Houston.

Game Notes

> Temple's victory over Rice marked the team's fifth consecutive win, which is the Owls' longest winning streak since December of the 2019-20 season. It is also the longest win streak the Owls have had in conference since 2016-17.

> The Owls stand in sole possession of first place in the AAC after today's victory. The last time Temple led its conference standings this late in the season was during the 2011-12 season, when the Cherry & White led the Atlantic 10.

> Temple reached the 17-win plateau for the first time since 2015-16 when they finished the season with 23 victories.

Statistically Speaking

> With Nelson's 10 points tonight, she has now scored in double figures in six of her last seven games. Likewise, East's 12 points marked her sixth double-digit scoring effort in the team's last seven outings. Overall, Nelson has 19 double-digit games and East has 18.

> East grabbed 10 rebounds today, a mark that was just one board shy of tying a career high. Her performance today marked East's fifth career double-double, two of which occurred this season.

>Tucker led Temple with 13 rebounds, which is just two shy of her season high. She recorded her 11th career double-double, her sixth of the season.

> Gary's 20 points was just three shy of her season and career high for scoring.

> Nelson grabbed five rebounds today, just one shy of tying a season high.

> Gary (5-5) and Taylor (4-4) were a combined 9-9 (100%) from three-point range.

> Gary's five threes is the second most in a game during her career. Her career high of seven came against Villanova (11/20/22) and she also hit five threes against Delaware (3/3/22) while playing for Towson.

Up Next

Temple will return to Philadelphia to take on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane on Wednesday, February 28 at 7 p.m. at the Liacouras Center. The game will air on ESPN+ and the Varsity Network App. Tickets are available at OwlsTix.com.