Women's Basketball To Face City Rival Temple In First Of Two Meetings :: Game time set for 7 p.m. at The Liacouras Center

Feb. 9, 2005

PHILADELPHIA - After snapping its four-game losing skid with a victory over Rhode Island on Sunday, Saint Joseph's will try to break another losing streak when it renews its 32-year-old rivalry with #20/22 Temple this Thursday evening at The Liacouras Center. The Hawks, who have faced the Owls at least once a year since the 1973-74 season, will try to snap a three-game losing skid that includes a 53-48 loss in last year's Atlantic 10 Championship game.

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SCOUTING THE OWLS
A lot more is on the line besides bragging rights for #20/22 Temple Thursday evening. After going 10-0 to start their Atlantic 10 slate, the Owls can clinch the A-10 East title with a win over the Hawks. Temple, which hasn't lost since December 4 at Florida, will also try to extend its 15-game winning streak. Junior center and All-American candidate Candice Dupree paces the Owls at both ends, averaging 16.2 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Co-A-10 Player of the Week sophomore forward Kamesha Hairston and senior guard Cynthia Jordan are averaging 13.1 ppg and 13.2 ppg, respectively. Senior forward Ari Moore and junior guard Jennifer Owens will likely round out Temple's starting rotation that boasts an A-10 best 54.7 ppg.

THE SERIES
City rivals Saint Joseph's and #20/22 Temple will meet for the first of two games this season on Thursday evening at The Liacouras Center. Saint Joseph's, which holds a commanding 39-18 series lead, has struggled as of late against the Owls, winning only two of their last eight meetings. Temple, which won all three meetings last season including a victory in the Atlantic 10 Championship game, is 4-4 versus the Hawks at The Liacouras Center and 9-13 all-time when hosting Saint Joseph's.

LAST MEETING: TEMPLE HOLDS OFF HAWKS FOR ATLANTIC 10 TITLE, 53-48
Down 44-28 with 7:26 to play, the outlook looked bleak for the Hawks in its Atlantic 10 Championship game with Temple. Saint Joseph's staged a furious comeback, drawing within two points with 32 seconds to go. Unfortunately, the rally came up short in a 53-48 loss to its city rival. Senior Stephanie Graff had a double-double with 15 points and 11 boards and classmate Irina Krasnoshiok added 10 as both earned all-championship honors.