Turner’s 22 Not Enough as Temple Falls to Rice

Wednesday, February 25

Philadelphia, Pa.

7 PM

Temple University

12-15,6-9American

Rice University

25-3,15-0American

Rice

Temple

Turner’s 22 Not Enough as Temple Falls to Rice

2.25.26 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA – Temple women's basketball (12–15, 6–9 American) fell to the top team in the American Conference, the Rice Owls (25–3, 15–0 American), on Wednesday night, 77–66. Temple now sits at 12–15 overall and 6–9 in conference play. Kaylah Turner finished with 22 points, shooting 10-for-18 from the field. Jaleesa Molina closed out the night with 17 points and 11 rebounds, earning her ninth double-double of the season.

How It Happened
First Quarter

The battle of the Owls started with each team exchanging blows on the offensive end. Rice came out hot from deep, specifically Dominique Ennis, who started the game 2-for-3 from three-point range.
The home Owls, however, did not let the fast start deter them. Kaylah Turner came out of the gate firing for Temple. She went 2-for-2 from the field, including a three-pointer to keep the Cherry & White within reach of conference-leading Rice.
With just under a minute remaining in the opening frame, Temple chipped away at the Rice lead thanks to Brianna Mead. The sophomore connected on a pull-up jump shot from mid-range to bring the Owls within four points.
The quarter ended with a Victoria Flores steal and layup as Rice took a 23–17 lead.

Second Quarter

Early in the second frame, Temple was able to keep pace with the high-flying Rice Owls. However, the visitors' three-point shooting helped them gain a sizable lead.
Jordan Blackmon and Kennedy Clifton knocked down shots from deep, bringing the Rice lead up to 13 with 4:50 remaining.
Tristen Taylor knocked down a pair of free throws to make it a 38–33 game with 1:47 remaining in the second quarter.
Temple closed out the half on a 10–2 run while Rice went scoreless over a span of 1:35. However, Rice held on to a 40–35 lead heading into halftime.

Third Quarter

To start the second half, Rice continued to extend its lead. Shelby Hayes dominated inside the paint early in the third quarter, scoring four of Rice's first seven points.
At the media timeout, Temple had its biggest energy play of the second half. Mead drove to the basket, took contact, and converted the bucket for an emphatic three-point play that brought the home squad within five points.
Following Mead's basket, Temple sparked a 6–1 run over a span of 2:07 while Rice went 1-for-4 from the floor.
Rice took a commanding 14-point lead to close out the third quarter, leading 61–47.

Fourth Quarter

Ennis continued her strong night for Rice early in the fourth quarter. She added five points to the growing Rice lead by using her physicality and getting to the free-throw line. With over six minutes to go in the contest, she totaled 18 points.
Temple continued to fight back and cut into the deficit. With just under two minutes remaining, a sequence started by a Turner three-pointer led to a foul on Jaleesa Molina. She added one more point at the line to cut the lead to 11.

Inside the Box

Temple shot 42% (12-for-27) from the field in the first half, while Rice shot 59% (17-for-29).
The Owls were 6-for-10 (60%) from behind the arc, while Temple went 1-for-7 (14%).
Temple outrebounded Rice 15–12 in the first 20 minutes. Rice entered the game ranked fourth in the conference in total rebounds.
Temple finished the game shooting 47.2% (25-for-53) from the field, while Rice shot 53.6% (30-for-56).
Temple led the rebounding battle, 32–25.
Rice was held to two offensive rebounds, while Temple grabbed seven.
The Cherry & White finished with 12 assists compared to Rice's 24.
Temple committed 20 turnovers to Rice's 13.
Rice recorded 12 steals compared to the Cherry & White's five.
Temple scored 30 points in the paint to Rice's 36.
Bench points proved to be a key difference in the contest, as Rice's bench totaled 17 points compared to Temple's eight.

Up Next
Temple will travel to Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday, Feb. 28, for a 3:00 p.m. matchup with the UAB Blazers. The game will air live on ESPN+, and live stats can be found at owlsports.com.