NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Temple University spoiled Iona College's home opener with a strong second half comeback in a 59-54 decision. The Gaels held the Owls to 30.7% shooting in the first half, and just 7.7% in the first quarter, but Temple bounced back with 47.1% shooting in the second half to hand the Maroon & Gold their third loss of the season.
Junior Alexis Lewis collected her second double-double of the season with 10 points and a season-high 14 rebounds. Freshman Toyosi Abiola had 12 points and a career-best five rebounds, and junior Treyanna Clay scored a team-high 16 for her second straight double-digit effort. Sophomore Tori Lesko scored a season-high 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting.
The Gaels held a lead for nearly the entirety of the opening 25 minutes. Temple was finally able to break the seal and gain a brief edge at 8:39 of the third with a layup from freshman Mia Davis. Abiola responded in the Gaels' favor with eight straight points, bringing Iona back in front by five with 5:33 left in the frame. That'd be the final time Iona felt comfortable; the tide fully suing in the Owls favor with freshman Emani Mayo hitting a triple and a pair of free throws within thirty seconds of each other to give Temple a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
Temple led by as many as 11 with 4:18 left in the fourth quarter. Much like in their first two games, the Maroon & Gold fought back and made things interesting in the end. Lewis hit a three-pointer with 3:07 remaining that brought Iona within four, and she later cut the deficit to three with a free throw. The Owls fought off the Gael comeback was quelled in the final moments with a layup and key free throws from senior Tanyana Atkinson.
Head Coach Billi Chambers saw her defense start the game with one of its most successful quarters. The Owls scored just two points in the opening frame, shooting 1-for-13; they made their first basket but then missed the next 12 field goal attempts. Unfortunately, the Maroon & Gold could not capitalize; they shot just 2-for-13 and didn't make a field goal over the last 4:44.
Following today's result, Temple leads the all-time series lead at 6-0. Atkinson led all scorers with 18 points, and she led her team with 12 rebounds. Freshman Desiree Oliver and Davis each scored nine points.
Iona will have to have a short memory because it returns to the hardwood on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh, PA against Duquesne University.
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