WICHITA, Kan. – Temple controlled the game from start-to-finish in a 65-57 win over Wichita State Saturday afternoon in Charles Koch Arena.

Wichita State (4-8, 1-6) began the game struggling to put the ball in the basket, but ended up shooting 43 percent from the field. They just couldn't make enough stops on the defensive end.

In her second game back in a month, Mariah McCully logged her second straight game in double figures with a game and season-high 18. Asia Strong notched her second double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Seraphine Bastin scored all 12 of her points after halftime to go with seven rebounds.

The Shockers attempted only nine three-pointers, going 2-for-9. Points were also left at the free throw line where they went just 7-of-14.

Temple (7-7, 7-4) misfired on 16 of its 21 tries from downtown, but went 16-of-24 at the line. Mia Davis and Asonah Alexander both scored 17 to lead the Owls, while Jasha Clinton added 16.

McCully scored Wichita State's first seven points of the game, but went cold over the final few minutes and found themselves trailing 18-11 after 10 minutes. McCully and Strong scored all 11 points in the opening quarter, while the rest of the team went a combined 0-of-7 from the field.

McCully's hot start carried over to the beginning of the second quarter where she scored the Shockers' first six points, putting her into double figures with 13 points with 7:00 minutes left in the half. She would not attempt another shot for the rest of the half.

Despite the strong scoring start for McCully, Wichita State found themselves in an eight-point hole with 4:30 left until halftime. Take out McCully's field goals (5-of-6) and the rest of the team was just 3-for-14.

Temple's lead reached double digits at the 4:10 mark following a Jasha Clinton three-pointer to make it 30-19. Baskets from Strong and DJ McCarty briefly pulled them back within seven, but over the final 3:46, Wichita State would go without a score. At the half Wichita State trailed 34-23, its second largest halftime deficit of the season.

McCully (13) and Strong (6) were responsible for 19 of the 23 first half points. The Shockers were 1-of-8 from three-point range and trailed in the rebound margin by eight.

The third quarter didn't see much separation either way, but Wichita State was able to make it an eight-point game thanks to Temple going scoreless for the final 3:30.

Trailing by 13, Wichita State scored six unanswered to make it 55-48 with 2:15 remaining. A minute later, McCully's three-pointer from the corner brought the Shockers within six, but that would be as close as they would come.

Up Next
Wichita State and UCF meet for the first time this season on Wednesday, Feb. 10. The Shockers and Knights are scheduled to tip at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.