The 2012 Atlantic 10 tournament quarterfinals kick off with a #2/#7 match up between the Duquesne Duke and Temple Owls. Pickin’ Splinters is court side bringing you scores, stats, analysis, insights – we might even get a quote or two from players or coaches.
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#7 Duquesne (20-10/7-7) vs. #2 Temple (20-8/13-1)
The Owls won the only meeting this year: 67-64 at the on January 18, 2012. Temple is 31-11 all-time in head to head play against Duquesne, including a 14-1 record over the last 11 years.
Kyle Soppe says
Duquesne is not a 7 seed based on talent. This team has the players to run with anybody. Leader Alex Gensler has started by nailing two open looks, a rarity against this stingy Owls defense. Bodies are all over the place, this game is going to be a 40 (maybe more?) minute battle. Dukes up 6-4 at the first media timeout.
Kyle Soppe says
Temple’s defense has the ability to dominate a game, but the Dukes are functioning just fine from the perimeter thus far. Only 2 of their points have come inside, yet they hold a 10-7 advantage at the 12 minute mark.
Conference offensive and defensive player of the year Shey Peddy has been more of a defensive pest than the teams leading scorer. She is picking up which Duke decides to bring the ball up full court, and melting the shot clock in the process. While the pressure hasn’t led directly to any points yet, 40 minutes of pressure certainly will.
Kyle Soppe says
Duquesne up 16-14, but Temple seems to be playing the game they want to. “40 minutes of hell” was coined by Missouri, and that is a good description for the Owls game plan.
Temple is +6 in second chance points and seem to athletic for that not to continue.
Smitty says
Temple is shooting just 26.7% from the field (4-15) , but is staying in the game thanks to their free throw shooting (6 for 9).
Duquesne leads 20-16.
Kyle Soppe says
This game might just be an instant classic. The intensity is off the charts, and the emotion on the court is aa an even higher level.
Peddy vs Gensler is a match up of two of the best in the business, and both players seem unwilling to lose the battle.
Temple owns a five rebound edge on the offensive glass, but is shooting only 31.6% from the field, as compared to 43.8% from Duquesne.
Kyle Soppe says
BJ Williams connects on a three ball as the shot clock expires, giving the Owls their first lead inf more than 15 minutes. Duquesne responds with a bucket by Vendemia to end the half. Dukes lead 25-24 at the intermission
Temple is dominating the glass (+9), but it’s Duquesne’s efficiency (41% from the field as compared to Temple’s 29%) that won the first half.
Temple’s pressure is being handled by the impressive Duquesne guards, as the Owls have yet to score in transition.
Kyle Soppe says
Sticky fingers by Peddy leads to a lay up for Macaulay. Both teams are passing the ball well and playing tenacious defense. Couldn’t ask for much more in a quarterfinal match up.
This game will be decided by which players can knock down decent looks late in the game.That would play into DU’s favor, as they are shooting a better percentage for two, three, and from the line.
Score now sits at 33-28 Dukes.
Kyle Soppe says
Little Gensler just hit 8 of 9 shots at a media timeout promotion. Temple must be praying that this is not a sign of things to come.
Kyle Soppe says
Wumi Agunbiade settling in after a 2/10 start with two straight buckets. Her footwork is like nothing I’ve seen this year. A mid range jumper from Orsi Szecsi and Duquesne has its largest lead at 39-31
Temple’s Peddy and Brittany Lewis have only scored 3 points, all of which came at the line. The duo averages 24.8 points per game.
Kyle Soppe says
Owls out and running, cut the lead to 3. Their hard nosed defense is leading to transition opportunities, and they are beginning to capitalize. Peddy started the charge with a three pointer, and when a great scorer sees the ball go through the net, a level of confidence is born. Can Duquesne hold off long enough? Or will Peddy get rolling just in the nick of time?
Peddy with another 3! We are all even.
Kyle Soppe says
Peddy goes crashing into the bleachers. No foul, but her momentum took her face first into the bleachers. The Hagan Arena has gone deathly silent.
Kyle Soppe says
She is undergoing a series of concussion tests, but the game must go on. She walked off the court under her own power, and being the gamer she is, I would not rule out a return sooner rather than later.
Rateska Brown has entered in her place, and she brought energy to the court. BJ Williams (now the teams got to option) drilled a contested jumper, giving Temple a 41-39 lead. Brown’s defensive pressure gives Temple possession with 11:21 remaining.
Smitty says
Don’t think turnovers play a huge part in the outcome of a game?
Duquesne has 14 turnovers in the game. Temple has scored 20 points off those turnovers.
Kyle Soppe says
Peddy returns and continues to attack the rim. No way she is 100%, but her being on the court gives her team the best chance to win.
Temple leads 45-43, thanks in large part to their ability and willingness to share the ball. They are assisting on 3 of every 4 baskets.
Kyle Soppe says
Organized chaos is taking place, as both teams are racing up and down the court. Neither team could convert odd man breaks, and the lead remains 48-44 for the Owls.
The Owls have already matched their point total of the first half, and there is 4.5 mins remaining.
Kyle Soppe says
3 point play from Peddy, and Temple is in charge as we approach the final media timeout. This is truly a gutty performance by not only the Temple star, but the entire squad. They are proving why they are among the elite in the A-10 and why they were a preseason favorite to win the conference.
Kyle Soppe says
Peddy from downtown! She has connected four times from deep, more than the entire DU team. This game is all but over, as the Owls lead 54-46 with 1:29 remianing.
Smitty says
A layup by Agunbiade at the 1:25 mark is the first field goal by Duquesne since the 14:25 mark of the second half.
Tough defense = Temple takes control of the game.
Temple leads 55-50.
Kyle Soppe says
Temple beats Duquesne by a final score of 64-55.
They advance to play the winner of our final game, St. Louis vs Dayton.
redsoxfan says
Thanks for the coverage of an exciting game!