Feb. 2, 2008

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Carlene Hightower scored a game-high 18 points, but the La Salle University Women's Basketball team could not overcome a late Temple run, falling to the Owls, 60-55, on Saturday at Tom Gola Arena.

Melanie Gibbons added 10 points for the Explorers, who fell to 9-13 overall and 1-6 in the Atlantic 10. With the win, Temple set a Big 5 record with its 18th consecutive victory in the city series.

The Owls threatened to pull away in the first half, taking a nine-point lead with just over four minutes to play in the opening stanza. Down 26-17, Gibbons nailed a jumper to spark an 11-2 run, bringing La Salle to within one at 29-28. A late Temple field goal gave the Owls a three-point advantage heading into the intermission, but left La Salle well within striking distance.

The Explorers took advantage early in the second half, grabbing their first lead since the opening minutes of the game as Hightower converted a pair of free throws, putting La Salle up 34-33.

The teams traded baskets over the next several minutes, until a Shaqwedia Wallace jumper ignited a 10-0 Temple run, giving the Owls a 52-42 lead with 5:24 left in the contest.

Facing their largest deficit of the game, the Explorers responded by rattling off seven-straight points, making the score 52-49. Lindsay Kimmel knocked down a three with 2:11 left to extend Temple's lead to six, but Jamie Walsh responded with a trey of her own with just over a minute to play, puling La Salle to within three once again at 55-52.

That would be the closest the Explorers would get the rest of the way, as Temple sank five of its six free throws down the stretch to seal the victory and improve its Big 5 record to 4-0 on the season. The Owls became the first team to register four-straight perfect Big 5 seasons. Temple's last loss in the series came against Villanova on December 19, 2003.

Walsh finished the game with eight points, while Margaret Elderton and Morgan Robertson each finished with seven for the Explorers, who fell to 1-2 in the Big 5. Elderton added game-highs in assists with six, and steals with three.

Shenita Landry scored 12 points and grabbed a game-high 12 boards off the bench for Temple (13-10, 6-1 A-10). Lady Comfort added 12 points and nine rebounds of her own, while Wallace and LaKeisha Eaddy scored 11 and 10, respectively.

The Explorers return to action this Wednesday when they host Massachusetts at Tom Gola Arena with tip at 7 PM.