Feb. 6, 2010

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - A 17-4 Temple run to kick off the second period put a six-point game out of reach as the La Salle women's basketball team dropped a 55-34 decision to the Owls on a snowy Saturday. Icy shooting plagued the Explorers, who fell to 5-18 (0-8 Atlantic 10). The Owls improved to 17-16, 6-2 in the A-10.

The Explorers shot just 26.5 percent (13-for-49) for the game, including 3-of-15 from 3-point range. The Owls, who were limited to just 20 points in the first stanza, heated up the nets by shooting at a 52.0 percent clip after the break and 42.0 percent for the game.

The Owls' Kristen McCarthy led all scorers with 15 points, with Marli Bennett joining her in double figures with 11 points. Morgan Robertson paced the Explorers with eight points, while Nadia Duncan and Ashley Gale chipped in six each.

The Owls drew first blood with two Bennett free throws and never trailed in the contest. However, the Explorers stayed within striking distance, getting within two at 14-12 on an Antonia Gale jumper. The Owls pushed it back to eight, capped off by a McCarthy lay-up at 2:39.

Robertson hit two free throws 10 seconds later to put the score at 20-14, and neither team managed a bucket in the final 2:27 of the first half.

The Owls' 17-4 run out of the gate in the second half put the score at 37-18 with 10:22 to go. They pushed the lead to as many as 24 with five minutes remaining before the eventual 55-34 final.

The Temple defense was strong as they held a 44-19 advantage on the glass, led by Natasha Thames' 11 boards. However, the Explorers turned the ball over just 13 times to the Owls' 21 turnovers.

The Explorers return to action on Wednesday when they pay a visit to Saint Louis for an 8:00 PM ET contest.