Temple takes down defending A-10 champion George Mason to secure a season-opening win

Temple women’s basketball team shook off early first-game jitters and opened its season on a high note Tuesday night at the Liacouras Center.

The Owls took down George Mason, 94-85, in overtime behind guard Tristen Taylor’s 19-point performance and forward Saniyah Craig’s double-double (16 points, 15 rebounds).

They trailed by as many as 11 points early in the second quarter but marched back in the second half. That climb wasn’t without hiccups, however. Guard Kaylah Turner missed two free throws and George Mason made a layup to tie the score at 74 and send it to overtime.

Temple scored 20 points in the extra frame and never trailed on its way to victory.

“It was a great win for us today against a really tough team,” coach Diane Richardson said. “They won their conference tournament [last year] and we wanted to challenge ourselves with tough teams and today we prevailed. I like the resilience we showed today and the bounce back.”

Temple will host George Washington on Friday at 7 p.m. (ESPN+).

Richardson said it was a priority to improve the Owls’ depth in the offseason, and it was on display in the first game. Every player on scholarship played for Temple in the first half, outside of freshman forward Anastasia Bulanova, who was unavailable because of a knee injury she suffered at practice.

“It felt really good to be able to go to the bench and have that depth that we wanted,” Richardson said. “We did play everybody, so that was a plus for us. We want to play fast this year and we don’t want them to get worn out, so it’s great having that depth on the bench where we can send somebody in and give somebody a break.”

» READ MORE: As Big 5 women’s basketball teams hit the court, we answer your burning questions

Temple rolled out a starting lineup of Turner, Taylor, Craig, Savannah Curry, and Jaleesa Molina. Richardson was prepared to utilize her bench in relief of the starters, and the reserves did not disappoint.

Four players played at least 10 minutes off the bench, led by guard Kelian Cedano with 20 minutes. The Owls’ bench produced 29 points, with guard Drew Alexander leading the way in relief with 13.

Alexander connected on two three-pointers at the end of the first half to send the Owls to the locker room trailing, 39-38. Cedano was the first player off the bench and finished with 10 points, all coming in the second half. She earned Richardson’s trust and played in the final minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime.

“[Cedano] was playing some tough defense with her assignments,” Richardson said. “Then that confidence came when she just knocked down shots. She’s really feisty for a guard.”

Craig was a critical addition for the Owls this offseason. She joined the team as a transfer from Jacksonville, where she led the Atlantic Sun in rebounds per game with 11.4. Against George Mason, Craig was a constant factor in the paint as her 15 rebounds led Temple.

“They brought me here for one reason,” Craig said. “That’s to rebound and help the team, and that’s what I did.”

Craig scored efficiently as well, going 5-for-7 from the field and 6-for-8 from the free-throw line.

Richardson has promoted an equal-opportunity offense since she took the job at Temple. Six players ended the game in double figures and every player who saw minutes scored except for forward Khloe Miller.

» READ MORE: Temple women’s basketball plays a tough nonconference schedule. Here’s a look at those matchups.

Eleven of Taylor’s 19 points came from the free-throw line. She said during the offseason that she wanted to be more of a dominant scorer.

“I think just working in the offseason and then also the coaching staff around me, they gave me the confidence to go out there,” Taylor said. “Also my teammates have trust in me and giving me the confidence as well, telling me to go out there and do what I do.”