Tulane University
19-7, 10-5Amer.
Temple
13-14, 9-5Amer.
WBB Falters Down Stretch to Temple, Falling 69-58
Feb 17, 2015 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA - In a back and forth battle inside McGonigle Hall, the Tulane women's basketball team (19-7, 10-5) couldn't sustain their second half lead, falling 69-58 to Temple University (13-14, 9-5). It marked the first time this season the Wave suffered back-to-back losses.
"I thought the first half, we didn't get the loose balls and didn't take care of the ball. That was crucial," Tulane head coach Lisa Stockton said. "We came out of halftime and really did a great job, and then defensively we had a big letdown."
Tulane jumped out to a 20-14 lead in the opening seven minutes, shooting 8-of-13 from the field, with 17 combined points from Danielle Blagg, Chinwe Duru and Tiffany Dale. However, the Owls countered with a 15-4 run, capitalizing on a four and half minute scoring drought and what would be 16 Green Wave turnovers in the half. In fact, half of Temple's 37-32 lead at the midway point came from points off turnovers.
Tulane then came out firing in the second half, producing an 11-0 run to take a 43-37 lead, while the Wave defense forced Temple to start 0-for-8 from the field. Yet the Owls turned their first field goal at the 14-minute mark into a 10-2 run.
After a Kaplan basket at 11:35 gave the Wave a 49-48 lead, Temple's Alliya Butts connected on back-to-back treys to deliver the eighth and final lead change of the match. Two free throws from Blagg at 3:57 cut the deficit to three points but the home squad delivered a 6-0 run (64-55 lead), which inevitably put the game out of reach.
"We just couldn't sustain the lead. We looked lethargic at times," Stockton added. "I feel like defensively this year we have done a good job of locking up opponents towards the end and doing the little things, but over the last three games we haven't."
Blagg scored a team high 17 points on a 6-for-13 night from the field, recording her second highest points total on the season. Next, with 11 points and 12 rebounds, Dale tallied her second double-double on the year, 14th overall. In addition, Kaplan dished out a team high seven assists tonight, now totaling 34 assists over the last six games.
Tulane ultimately finished with 21 turnovers in which Temple converted into 27 points. The Owls also enjoyed an advantage from beyond the arc, connecting on 9-of-21 compared to the Wave's 4-of-21. Finally, Tulane finished with a .411 shooting percentage compared to Temple's .474.
Up next, the Green Wave return to New Orleans for its final home stand of the season. First, they'll host Memphis on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 2 p.m. CT for their Senior Day and Play4Kay Pink Game. Then, the Olive and Blue will close out their home schedule with No. 1 UConn on Monday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m.
