The Owls Triumph with a 76-62 Victory Over Villanova, Claiming the Inaugural Women’s Big Five Classic Title
VILLANOVA, PA – In a thrilling culmination to the 2024 Toyota Women’s Big Five Classic, the Temple Owls soared to victory, defeating the Villanova Wildcats 76-62. This momentous win at the Finneran Pavilion not only crowned the Owls champions but marked a significant resurgence, as it secured their first Big Five title since a shared victory in the 2018-19 season with none other than the Wildcats.
“A splendid tournament, a magnificent classic—this is just the beginning of many such events that will shine brightly for our city,” exclaimed Temple’s Coach Diane Richardson. “We played with heart, executed our strategy, and our ladies delivered a commanding performance. This is Temple basketball at its finest.”
Leading the charge for the Owls was forward Tiarra East, who painted the court with a dazzling season-high of 26 points, shooting 55.6% with a pinpoint accuracy from three-point range. Complementing her prowess was guard Tristen Taylor, who contributed 15 points, while Tarriyonna Gary and Kaylah Turner added 14 and 10 points, respectively.
Defensively, Temple turned the tides in the second half, constraining Villanova to a mere 38% shooting from the field (11 of 29). As the Owls tightened their grip on defense, their offensive rhythm flourished—Temple converted an impressive 67% of their shots, sinking 18 out of 27 attempts. From beyond the arc, they were equally lethal, netting 6 of 12, while the Wildcats struggled with a dismal 15% (3 of 20), with all their successful three-pointers coming only in the latter half.
Villanova’s efforts were spearheaded by Jasmine Bascoe, who notched a noteworthy 19 points and a collegiate-best 7 rebounds. Her contributions were essential, as she also dished out 6 assists. Freshman Maddie Webber and Lara Edmanson added 12 and 11 points, respectively, but it wasn’t enough to halt the Owls’ momentum.
Earlier in the day’s competition, the Saint Joseph’s Hawks showcased their own talents, dominating the Drexel Dragons with a convincing 69-47 victory to claim third place. The Hawks’ offensive prowess was led by Mackenzie Smith’s game-high of 23 points, along with stellar performances from Laura Ziegler (17 points, 7 rebounds) and Talya Brugler, who nearly achieved a triple-double with 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists.
“It was truly a great team effort with contributions pouring in from multiple players,” remarked Saint Joseph’s Coach Cindy Griffin.
Drexel fought valiantly, with Amaris Baker leading the charge with 16 points, while Deja Evans chipped in 12 points. Chloe Hodges facilitated the offense with 6 assists, and Grace O’Neill proudly claimed the rebounding crown for her team with 6 boards.
The momentum shift in that matchup arrived in the fourth quarter when the Hawks decisively outscored the Dragons 18-5, shooting an electrifying 66.7% (8 of 12), in stark contrast to Drexel’s struggle of just 16.7% from the floor (2 of 12).
In the fifth place showdown, the University of Pennsylvania Quakers dispatched the La Salle Explorers 74-63. The Quakers surged in the third quarter, connecting on an impressive 64.3% of their shots (9 of 14), while La Salle managed only 4 of 19 attempts (21.1%).
Freshman sensation Sarah Miller dazzled with a personal collegiate record of 21 points, hitting 6 of 7 from the field, including 5 of 6 from deep, while also sinking all 4 of her free throws. Stina Almqvist and Katie Collins each recorded double-doubles, with Almqvist scoring 18 points and pulling down 11 boards, and Collins adding 12 points alongside 11 rebounds. Guard Mataya Gayle facilitated play with a career-high 9 assists and 11 points.
The Explorers were led in scoring by Ashleigh Conner, who netted 13 points, while Aryss Macktoon and Anna Przyszlak contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively.
As the day wrapped up, the triumph of Temple and the robust performances throughout the event echoed the fierce competitive spirit and talent present in women’s college basketball—creating a thrilling spectacle for fans and a promising outlook for future tournaments.
