The Owls Look to Keep Rolling as Conference Play Moves Along

Written by: Liam Andell

Photo Courtesy of: Owl Sports

The Owls have undoubtedly played their best basketball over the last three games.  

Having opened up the season on a three-game losing streak, this Owls team has turned it around and opened up conference play with three straight wins. 

Most recently the Temple Owls (3-3, 3-0) pulled away from ECU (5-5, 3-2) picking up the victory 66-57. 

In a back and forth dual, where both teams were shooting exceptionally well in the first half (Temple 41%, ECU 45%), the second half told a much different story. 

Temple had a much more effective defense in the latter half of this contest as ECU was only able to manage 2 field goals in the 4th quarter. The nine points scored by ECU couldn’t hold up against Temple.

This tough defensive effort by Temple has been a bit of a trend over the three-game winning streak.  

Temple’s defense is giving up 55 points per game throughout the winning streak.  This is a huge improvement being that Temple was giving up 90 points during non-conference play.

While the defense has been such a staple point to the success, the offense is also excelling in different ways than earlier in the season.

During non-conference play, Mia Davis dominated on the court, but it wasn’t leading to wins.  Since conference play has started, the pieces within the offense have started to step up and relieve Davis of so much pressure.

One key piece, in particular, is the effect that Junior guard, Alexa Williamson has made on the team as of late.

Williamson has recorded double figures in three straight games and has led the team in scoring over their last two games despite only playing 19 minutes against ECU. 

When Temple held a tight two-possession lead over ECU in the middle of the 4th quarter, Williamson knocked down three straight jumpers and helped secure Temple’s lead to double digits.  

Outside of the scoring totals, Temple has done an excellent job distributing the ball.  Temple is tied at the top of the AAC (American Athletic Conference) in assists per game with 18.3.

This was in full effect against ECU as Jasha Clinton recorded 9 assists along with 8 from sophomore Asonah Alexander.  

All of these improvements have lead to much more efficient play on both sides of the ball. Temple now sits second in the AAC with a +14.3 point differential per game.  

Temple has done a fine job not finding themselves nervous towards the end of games and will hope to continue that trend as they square off against another undefeated foe in UCF (5-1, 3-0) at Pearson and Mcgonigle Hall today at 2 PM.