Women's basketball team wants better defensive effort
The women's basketball team will take a break from Mid-American Conference when it hosts Temple at 5:30 p.m. today at Rose Arena.
Fresh off of an improved offensive effort that saw the team score 89 points, the team will host the Owls, which will be a tough defensive opponent.
"I enjoyed the game against Buffalo, but the points will come to us," said senior guard Angel Chan. "We just need to focus more on defense and the offense will come."
Coach Sue Guevara has prepared her team throughout the week for the tough physical style of play it will face against Temple.
"You can see that they are very physical and they are very aggressive," she said. "They also have a very nice inside game and they are very experienced.
"I think playing teams in our conference has prepared us for what we will see against Temple. I also think that teams like Louisville and Georgetown has also prepared us for this team. I am just glad that we are playing them at home."
Temple has a solid offense, averaging 67.9 points a game this season, ranking it third in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Owls are 3-0 against the MAC this season, with wins against Bowling Green, Toledo and Ball State.
Senior guard Latisha Luckett said CMU's defensive efforts will set the tone for the game.
"I think that how good we get defensively will determine how the game goes against Temple," she said. "After working in practice, I think our defense is getting better."
Guevara said the team's bench is deep and made plays at key points against Buffalo. The bench players contributed 32 points.
"I was really pleased with our bench play," she said. "Luckett, [Shonda] Long and [Heidi] Warczinski came in and gave us some big minutes. They gave us that energy that really got us going. In the game against Temple, it will be all about our bench."
The Chippewas have had no success against the Owls in the past. This game marks the third time the two teams have met, with Temple winning the two prior matchups.
Guevara said Temple's offensive statistics would be higher but are deceptive because of its conference placement.
"They play some very good competition," she said. "To say they don't have a good offense is not an accurate statement. I think they have a very good offense and they have a lot of very good weapons."
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