After a very narrow victory over Quinnipiac last week, Temple took a very decisive game over Ohio University in a 75-61 win that sent them to the quarter finals of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament. Temple showed a strong defensive performance in this game by recording 11 steals, which turned into 16 points off turnovers, and causing the leading three point shooter in the country, Kiyanna Black, to a 0-5 shooting night and the team as a whole to a 3-21 shooting night. The backcourt of Alliya Butts and Feyonda Fitzgerald combined for 40 points, while Donnaizha Fountain added a point-rebound double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. A 12 rebound advantage played a big part in the win as well, especially with 12 points coming off of 2nd chance opportunities. Next game, they will be playing they will be playing University of Michigan in what will be their second Quarter Finals appearance in as many years.
Ohio University only lead the entire game for a minute and a half, and that was in the first quarter when it was 3-2. After that point, Temple controlled the entire, starting with a dominant 19-5 run, which stemmed off eight free throws and three three pointers for the most part. Temple also recorded seven of their 11 steals in the first quarter which helped them get off to a 10-1 difference in points off turnovers.
Ohio University actually outscored Temple 18-12 in the second quarter, but Temple’s lead in the first quarter was so big that it barely left a dent and they were still down by 10, 39-29. Neither team had too big of a run, and it was pretty back and forth for the entirety of the quarter. At halftime, Butts lead all scorers with 13 points, although two players from Ohio had both reached 10 points apiece. Temple was statistically dominant in every category, aside from blocks, which helped lead to that big 10 point.
The third quarter was also pretty back and forth as Temple slightly outscored Ohio in the quarter. There was a four point play by Butts that seemed to energize the team and created for a more fun feel to their game. It backfired a bit as there was a technical a few plays after, but that excitement definitely helped them spike up their intensity.
The fourth quarter was very well matched as Ohio outscored Temple by only one point and Temple’s big lead stayed put for the entire quarter.
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