Feb. 26, 2005

PHILADELPHIA - Saint Joseph's will wrap up its regular season as it hosts Big 5 rival #16/16 Temple in the season finale Sunday afternoon. The Hawks, who are currently tied for fifth in the Atlantic 10 East, could spring to the third seed with a victory and losses by Fordham, Rhode Island and St. Bonaventure. A win Sunday afternoon would mark the first Big 5 "W" of the season, as well as ruin the Owls bid for a perfect A-10 season.

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SCOUTING THE OWLS
The #16/16 Temple Owls ride a 20-game win streak into the season finale Sunday at alumni Memorial Fieldhouse. The Owls are looking to become the first team to go undefeated in Atlantic 10 play since George Washington went 16-0 during the 1996-97 season. Temple had a scare its last time out, needing a three at the buzzer to help squeak past Massachusetts 66-63. Offensively, junior Candice Dupree, sparks the Owls, averaging 16.4 points and 9.4 rebounds a game. Senior guard Cynthia Jordan and sophomore forward Kamesha Hairston are averaging 12.9 and 12.8 points per game, respectively. Senior Ari Moore (8.2 ppg) and junior Jennifer Owens (4.6ppg) will likely complete the starting rotation for Temple.

THE SERIES
City rivals Saint Joseph's and #16/16 Temple will meet for the second time this season and 59th all-time. The Hawks, who hold a 39-19 series lead, are 20-8 when hosting the Owls at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse. Temple, which has won the previous four meetings against the Hawks, have won three of the past four contests at Hawk Hill, including a 53-48 victory in the 2004 Atlantic 10 Title game.

LAST MEETING: CITY RIVAL #20/22 TEMPLE DOWNS HAWKS, 68-59
The #20/22 Temple Owls caused problems for Saint Joseph's on both ends of the court, as the Hawks fell 68-49 at The Liacouras Center. The Owls caused 28 Saint Joseph turnovers and had four players score in double figures in route to their 16th straight win. The Hawks trailed by only three 20-17, with just over six minutes remaining in the first half. However, Temple would slowly pull away and extend its lead to 24 in the second half