Temple University Athletics
Temple University
Tulane
Women's Basketball Heads to Texas for AAC Tournament
3.9.24 | Women's Basketball
FORT WORTH, Texas — The Temple Owls Women's Basketball team (19-11, 13-5 AAC), who earned the American Athletic Conference regular season co-championship, head to Forth Worth Texas, for the AAC Championship Tournament that begins on Saturday, March 9. Since the Owls finished as the #3 seed, their first game after a double-bye will take place on Monday, March 11, at 9:00pm ET (ESPN+ and The Varsity App). A semifinal game for the Owls would take place at 9:00 pm ET on Tuesday, March 12 (ESPN+ and The Varsity App), and the Championship game is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, at 7:00 pm ET (ESPNU and The Varsity App).
Scouting Temple
> The Owls finished in a three-way tie for first place in the AAC (with Tulsa and North Texas). The last time Temple won its conference was during the 2011-12 season, when the Cherry & White led the Atlantic 10.> Temple passed the 17-win plateau for the first time since 2015-16 when they finished the season with 23 victories.
> Following an 11-win season a year ago, Temple needs to win one more game to tie a program record for best turnaround. The benchmark is nine set in 2020-21 when 19 wins followed a 10-win season.
> Temple has employed its "Equal Opportunity Offense" and has had many contributors to its success. The Owls are the first team in AAC history to win a regular season conference title without ever winning a conference player of the week that season.
> Temple ranks 6th in the NCAA in offensive rebounds per game (16.2) and 19th in turnover margin (+5.03). The Owls also rank first in the AAC in turnover margin.
> Aleah Nelson (12.1 ppg) and Tiarra East (13.1 ppg) have each reached double-digits in 21 games. In fact, nine Temple players have combined for 105 double-digit scoring outputs this season. All five starters are averaging over 8.0 points per game.
HEADLINES
Full Nelson
> Aleah Nelson is the leader of this team. She has played for Coach Richardson for four years and has helped set her culture within the program. She earned third-team All-AAC honors.
East Coast Offense
> Tiarra East, a second-team All-AAC honoree, is one of the few players who was here prior to Coach Richardson's arrival, the junior guard has blossomed this season improving on the boards with a trio of double-doubles during the hot February stretch.
Let it Rayne
> Rayne Tucker is another Towson transfer who had to sit out in 2022-23 due to double transfer rules. The redshirt senior is having her best season with seven of her 12 career double-doubles.
Demi - More
> The top newcomer, Demi Washington was named a team captain and hasn't disappointed. Temple is 11-4 when she scores in double figures.
T-Mac Attack
> Tarriyonna Gary has given the team a spark, The Owls are 6-1 since she was inserted into the starting lineup and 8-4 overall when she gets the start.
Pay the Piper
> Ines Piper has proven to be a valuable asset to the team whether in the starting five or off the bench. She is equally adept at reaching double-digits in scoring as she is snatching rebounds.
Bench Warning
> Temple has gotten great play from a number of role players led by graduate Denise Solis and freshman Tristen Taylor.
