Lescay and Elliott Lead Tulsa to 68-64 Win over Temple

Saturday, February 29

Philadelphia, Pa.

1:00 pm

Tulsa

8-20,3-12AAC

Temple

15-13,7-8AAC

Tulsa

Temple

Photo by: Dave Crenshaw

Lescay and Elliott Lead Tulsa to 68-64 Win over Temple

2/29/2020 3:13:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Box Score in PDF l Season Stats in PDF

Rebecca Lescay had her second-straight career game as she netted a personal-best 24 points, while Kendrian Elliott added 18 to give Tulsa a 68-64 win over Temple on Saturday afternoon at McGonigle Hall in Philadelphia, Pa. The Golden Hurricane moved to 8-20 on the season and 3-12 in American Athletic Conference play, while the Owls fell to 15-13 overall and 7-8 in the league.

"The last time we played Temple, Rebecca was in double figures too, so there is something about Temple that brings out the best in her," Head Coach Matilda Mossman said. "They were giving her the shots she likes and she was knocking them down. In the second half we got Kendrian the ball in rhythm, Elin really defended Mia Davis well, and having DJ and KK on the court with Rebecca really helps us get out in transition. We also had players step up and make free throws, which was huge in the end."

Lescay, who posted a then career-best 23 points against Wichita State in the last game, bested that today by one point, while Elliott recorded her 39^th double-digit scoring game of her career.

KK Rodriguez added nine points and a career-high six assists, while Maddie Bittle added six points.

Tulsa shot a solid 43-percent from the field, including 25-percent from behind the arc and was 15-of-16 free throws, while Temple shot 38-percent from the field, 25-percent from three-point range and were 8-of-11 from the line.

Tulsa had a 15-13 edge in assists and a 13-10 advantage in steals, while Temple had a 41-33 lead in rebounds and a 4-3 edge in blocks.

The Golden Hurricane had 18 points off turnovers, 28 points in the paint and 19 fast break points, while the Owls had just 10 points off turnovers, 32 points in the paint and four fast break points.

Tulsa started the final quarter with a 6-0 run to take a 54-50 lead at the 7:10 mark, which again forced a timeout by the Owls. Temple then outscored Tulsa, 12-4, to pull within four, 62-58, with 1:52 to play in the contest. The Golden Hurricane was then faced with a full-court press and turned the ball over on two-straight in-bound passes, which allowed the Owls to close the gap to just one point, 62-61, with 1:31 to play.

A basket by Lescay and a pair of free throws made by Bittle put Tulsa up 66-61 with 35 seconds on the clock, but a three-pointer by the Owls' Ashley Jones made it a two-point game, 66-64, with 20 seconds remaining. Elliott hit two free throws with 17 seconds to play, then the Owls missed two shot attempts before Tulsa rebounded the ball, took it to their end of the floor and the clock hit zero.

The score was tied at 5-5 and again at 7-7, but a pair of free throws made by Destiny Johnson at the 6:29 mark put Tulsa up 9-7. Tulsa maintained the lead for the remainder of the first quarter, including a 20-16 score at the end of the frame.

The Golden Hurricane climbed to an eight-point lead, 27-19, at the 6:35 mark of the second quarter, forcing the Owls to call a timeout to stop Tulsa's 7-0 run. The Owls then outscored Tulsa, 12-2, to take a 31-29 lead with 1:01 remaining in the frame, but a jumper by Lescay evened the score at halftime, 31-31.

The third quarter was tightly contested with eight lead changes and four tied scores, but the Owls owned a 50-48 lead with one frame to play.

Temple was led by Jones with 20 points, while Mia Davis added 13 points and a team-best 10 rebounds.

Tulsa will conclude the regular season at home against Houston on Monday, March 2 beginning at 7:00 pm at the Donald W. Reynolds Center.