Temple Wins Barn-Burner Over Auburn, 78-74, in Home Opener

Saturday, November 16

McGonigle Hall

6 PM

Temple University

3-0

AUBURN

2-1

AUBURN

TEMPLE

Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University

Temple Wins Barn-Burner Over Auburn, 78-74, in Home Opener

11.16.13 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

BOXSCORE IN PDF | GALLERY | VIDEO

PHILADELPHIA – Freshman point guard Feyonda Fitzgerald (Norfolk, Va.) nailed a three-pointer with 24 seconds remaining to give Temple a two-point lead, and junior Tyonna Williams (Fort Washington, Md.) nailed two free throws to seal Temple's 78-74 win over SEC powerhouse Auburn on Saturday evening at McGonigle Hall.

With the win, the Owls improved to 3-0 on the season, while the loss was the first of the Tigers (2-1).

In the first half, Temple scored the first bucket. The teams were tied at 7-7 before Auburn went on an 11-0 run to go ahead by 10, 22-12 with 9:50 remaining in the half. The Tigers pushed their lead to as many as 16 points, 42-26, and held a 44-26 edge at halftime.

"This is the third game we've been down at halftime," said sixth-year head coach Tonya Cardoza. "It shows that no matter what the situation, we would come back. We had to face a lot of adversity tonight."

In the second half, TU opened the stanza with three three-pointers, two by Williams and one by Fitzgerald to start the Owls' comeback. Temple utilized a 24-2 run to take over the lead go ahead, 56-50. With 1:10 remaining in the game, Auburn's Brandy Montogmery's lay-up gave them a one-point edge, 7-4-73, but TU rallied. Fitzgerald hit another three, and Williams nailed two free throws for the win.

"I would like to be in a situation when we're leading," Cardoza said. "I'm just proud of these guys. It gives you confidence that it's never over until the end."

Williams paced the Owls with a career-high 29 points, tying her career-high with five treys. Fitzgerald also posted a career-high with 18 points, including four treys. Sophomore Erica Covile (Canton, Mich.) added a career-high 14 points and six steals. Freshman Taylor Robinson (St. Louis, Mo.) blocked a career-high three shots in the first half.

"Coach V(eney) told me to take the open shots," Williams said of her halftime chat. "She said, 'Shoot the ball, because you're hot'."

Tyrese Tanner was the top scorer for the Tigers with 19 points. Brandy Montgomery followed with 15 points, while Katie Frerking added 14.

Overall, Auburn out-rebounded Temple, 37-29. The Owls shot 42 percent from the floor (25-59) compared to the Tigers' 46 percent (23-50).

Temple has a 10-day break before hosting Michigan State on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. at McGonigle Hall. For season ticket information, call 215-204-8499.