Consistent Scoring from the Owls’ Starters Help Surge Them to a Victory Over Tulsa
Written by: Liam Andell
Photograph Courtesy of: Owl Sports
In a short season thus far where the Owls have been unable to create much of an identity beside Mia Davis’ clear scoring presence, the story has changed for the Owls as they have gotten some much-needed help from the rest of their starters and pulled away from Tulsa defeating them 69-52.
The first half was a complete slugfest as both Temple (2-3, 2-0) and Tulsa (1-2, 0-2) went toe for toe on the court. With consistent lead changes and 9 ties in the first half, it didn’t look like either team wanted to give an inch. Head Coach Tonya Cardoza led this Owls team to the locker room down by only two points and as expected Mia Davis was leading the way with 13 points.
While playing a tight first half where your best scorer is leading in points is fine and dandy, something needed to change in order for the Owls to pull off this victory.
Temple exited the locker room with a purpose and came out firing on all cylinders. The Owls jumped out on a 9-0 run to start the second half which was guided by a balanced offensive attack along with defensive pressure. Temple was able to corral three rebounds along with a steal by Alexa Williamson to lead them to those nine points scored by different players.
Alexa Williamson was one person in particular who really helped the Owls take control of this game in the second half. She led the team with 16 second-half points, shooting 6/9 from the field, and was the only Temple player to reach the free throw line converting on 4/5 attempts.
Her 20 points on the day made her not only the leading scorer on the team but also gave her a career-high in points.
Williamson wasn’t the only efficient second-half scorer for the Owls. Freshman Jasha Clinton racked up 11 points on 5/8 shooting, and Senior Emani Mayo scored eight points on 3/6 shooting.
While making shots is important, finding the open shot is just as crucial to playing basketball, and Sophomore Guard, Asonah Alexander did just that by dishing out six assists in the second half.
Although Mia Davis has been such a force to be reckoned with this season, it was the teammates around her that helped Temple take control of the game as Davis only contributed 4 points to the 39 scored by the Owls in the second half.
Those numbers could be skewed in a minor way being that Mia Davis exited the game with 2:58 remaining in the 4th quarter due to an injury, but nonetheless, she played the vast majority of the 2nd half and was able to have her teammates step up in a big way.
The balanced offense and dominant shooting by the Owls was the difference-maker in this game as the Owls started out shooting 50% from the field in the first half and 59% in the second half.
It was a much different outing for Tulsa as they were shooting poorly throughout the game, despite keeping it close in the first half. The 21.9% shooting from the field was impossible to overcome being that Temple’s offense was electric, especially in the second half.
The Owls will have a week to rest over the holiday season before they head down to Tulane on Dec. 30 to take on the Tulane Green Wave who currently sit 7th in the AAC standings with an 0-2 record in conference play.
