Though the Tem-Cats were in control against Waco University, Sanders knew her team’s history of playing loose after halftime.
Sanders’ team didn’t heed her advice, struggling in the third quarter before pulling away for a 59-41 win Tuesday night at Wildcat Gym.
“I told them, ‘Don’t think this game is over. This game isn’t over until you see zeroes,’” Sanders said.
The Tem-Cats (5-3) built a 12-point lead by halftime, frustrating the Lady Trojans (2-6) with a second-quarter run. Temple outscored University 21-9 in the second period, including a quick 6-0 run to start the quarter to take the lead for good after a tight first quarter.
Senior guard Shantae Hewins had four of her game-high 12 points in the second quarter.
But as Sanders feared, the Tem-Cats came out too loose after halftime. Temple scored just five points on 2-of-19 shooting and didn’t make a field goal in the quarter’s final six minutes. The Lady Trojans cut the lead to 37-28 with two minutes left in the third with a quick 6-0 run.
Temple stole back control in the fourth, frustrating the Lady Trojans with defensive pressure when it mattered most. The Tem-Cats forced eight fourth-quarter turnovers and held the Lady Trojans to two field goals in the quarter’s first four minutes.
“I’m a little bit more satisfied today than I was last time,” Sanders said. “Our defense looks better. We had some times where we’re communicating. As a whole, our defense looks a lot better.”
For the game, Temple’s defense held University to 36 percent shooting from the field and forced 30 turnovers.
Sophomore forward Patrickia Johnson, who scored 10 points, was the Tem-Cats’ other double-digit scorer.
The Tem-Cats’ game Saturday at Killeen has been canceled. Temple and University will meet again Nov. 21 in Waco.
rschneider@temple-telegram.com
