Feb. 2, 2007

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Freshman forward Amber Harris led three Musketeers in double-figures with 15 points but defending league champion Temple took the lead for good with 30-seconds to go and nipped the Xavier University women's basketball team by a 59-58 count on Friday evening at cozy McGonigle Hall in Philadelphia. With the loss, Xavier slips to 16-7 on the year and 4-3 in Atlantic 10 Conference play. Temple improves to 17-5, 7-0.

After weathering a second half that saw six ties and 10 lead changes, XU led 57-55 with 2:10 to go after Joei Clyburn converted on a lay-up. However, Temple answered with a Fatima Maddox driving lay-up to knot the score up at 57.

Michele Miller drew a foul 14-seconds later and made a free throw giving Xavier a 58-57 lead with 46-seconds to go. Temple responded with a LaKeisha Eaddy driving lay-up on the ensuing possession and went up by the final margin at the 30-second mark.

Xavier got a couple of looks to try and reclaim the lead. Miranda Green fired a 3-pointer from the top of the key that rimmed out and after Temple guard Kamesha Hairston missed the front end of a one-and-one, XU had six-seconds to try and recapture the lead. However, Green drove the length of the floor but lost the handle as time expired.

Harris' 15 came on 6-of-16 shooting and she also snared eight rebounds and blocked three shots. Clyburn netted 13 points and snatched nine rebounds and senior guard Suntana Granderson chipped in with11 points.

Xavier was out-rebounded by a 39-to-34 count and slips to 5-4 on the year when being out-rebounded. Xavier shot a chilly 38.3 percent (23-of-60) from the floor but out-scored Temple 19-6 in bench points.

Lady Comfort led the way for Temple with 21 points and 13 rebounds.

XU took a 4-0 lead out of the gate but Temple responded with an 8-0 run over the next 3:30 to take an 8-4 lead with 14:40 left in the first half.

Xavier reclaimed the lead, 21-19, after Jerri Taylor converted on a fast break lay-up with 6:50 to go. However, the Musketeers went cold and failed to score for the next five minutes. The Owls took advantage, charging out to a 10-0 run over that span and led 29-21 with 1:50 to go.

Harris converted on a put-back at the 1:30 mark to break the dry spell and XU would trail 31-25 at the break.

Xavier will return to action when the team returns home to take on La Salle Sunday. Game time is set for 2 p.m. at Cintas Center.