University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Temple
Owls Shoot Past @MemphisWBKB, 84-61
Feb 04, 2015 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA - The home Temple Owls (11-12, 7-3 American) knocked down a Memphis opponent record 15 three-point field goals in an 84-61 win over the Tigers (11-11, 5-6 American), Wednesday in front of 2,814 elementary school students in the Liacouras Center.
"I'm really disappointed for our team," Head Coach Melissa McFerrin said. "But Temple played a great, great game. We spotted them nine points early and played catch up the rest of the game. We worked all week on closing out and getting our hands up, but I guess we thought we were just close enough that they wouldn't get their shots up. Temple is playing tough, they're playing hard and they're playing confident and I think that showed today."
Temple jumped on top of the Tigers early, draining three quick three-point field goals in the opening two and a half minutes to lead 9-0 before the Tigers even got on the board. The Tigers' would not have much more luck defending the perimeter the remainder of the half, as seven of the Owls' first 11 field goals in the opening 20 minutes came from beyond the arc.
Memphis spread out the scoring in the first half to try to counter the three-point barrage on the other end, getting field goals from six different players, but Temple bounced back from a rebounding deficit to out-work Memphis on the glass, holding a 21-16 edge on the glass at the break.
The second half was more of the same for Memphis. The Tigers finally found some success attacking the rim, but could never close closer than seven points. After Breigha Wilder-Cochran exited the game with an injury, the Tigers really bogged down as Hearn took on all the ball-handling duties and the Owls took advantage of a tired Memphis starting rotation and picked apart the defense, knocking down 15-of-29 three-point field goal attempts in the process and assisting on 17 of 28 made field goals.
Ariel Hearn was the lone Tiger in double digits, scoring 24 points, while Mooriah Rowser and Brianna Wright added nine each. Asianna Fuqua-Bey finished with 11 rebounds to lead Memphis.
Freshman guard Alliya Butts leåd all players with a career-high 30 points, also handing out two assists and leading Temple with three steals. In all, Temple out-rebounded the Tigers 41-38, including 14 offensive boards.?
The Tigers return home to host #2 Connecticut, Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in FedExForum. Admission for that game is free. The game is a second half of a doubleheader with the Tiger men's basketball team. The men will host Temple at noon.
