PRINCETON, N.J. (Interstat) — The Princeton Tigers defeated the Temple Owls 87-77 in a nonconference women’s basketball game Monday at Jadwin Gymnasium before a crowd of 3,000. Princeton built a 14-point halftime lead and withstood a 32-point fourth-quarter surge from Temple. Kaylah Turner led all scorers with 36 points for the Owls. Madison St. Rose paced the Tigers with 22 points, while teammates Skye Belker added 19 and Toby Nweke scored 15. Princeton improved to 12-1 overall. Temple fell to an even 6-6.

PRINCETON, N.J. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a blistering start and a furious, improbable finish, the Princeton Tigers weathered a historic individual performance from Temple’s Kaylah Turner to secure an 87-77 victory in nonconference women’s basketball action Monday afternoon at a packed Jadwin Gymnasium. The most critical phase of the contest was its bookends: Princeton’s dominant opening quarter that built a substantial lead, and Temple’s desperate, record-challenging rally in the final period that ultimately fell short against the Tigers’ poise at the free-throw line. Princeton, improving to 12-1, came out with surgical precision, scoring 26 points in the first quarter while holding Temple to just eight points in the second period. The Tigers led 42-28 at halftime, capitalizing on 14 Temple turnovers and converting them into 16 points. Their offensive efficiency was stark, posting a rating of 113.7 points per 100 possessions compared to Temple’s 101.7, despite both teams taking an identical 60 field goal attempts. The Tigers’ balance was on full display. Madison St. Rose, a guard from Old Bridge, New Jersey, led Princeton with 22 points, four rebounds and three steals. Skye Belker of Los Angeles added 19 points, four assists and three rebounds, while Toby Nweke of Woodbine, Maryland, provided a crucial 15 points, four rebounds and two assists off the bench. Princeton’s discipline at the charity stripe was a decisive factor, as they made 18 of 20 free throws. Temple, by contrast, struggled profoundly, making only 5 of 12. The narrative shifted dramatically in the fourth quarter, transforming from a potential blowout into a tense thriller. Temple, which fell to 6-6, erupted for 32 points in the final frame, nearly doubling its output from the entire first half. The catalyst was Kaylah Turner. The 5-foot-6 guard from Jacksonville, Florida, authored a spectacular performance, scoring 36 points on 12-of-24 shooting, including 7-of-14 from three-point range. She added three rebounds and three assists in 38 minutes, spearheading the comeback attempt almost single-handedly. Turner’s barrage included a string of three-pointers and driving baskets that whittled a once-comfortable Princeton lead down to a single possession in the final minutes. Her step-back three-pointer with 20 seconds remaining brought Temple within 81-77, sending a jolt through the crowd of 3,000. Princeton, however, refused to buckle. In the game’s closing moments, with Temple forced to foul, the Tigers displayed the composure that has defined their strong start to the season. They sank six consecutive free throws in the final 24 seconds to seal the victory. St. Rose, Belker and Nweke combined to go 6-for-6 from the line under pressure, extinguishing Temple’s hopes. Beyond Turner, Temple received a strong all-around effort from Saniyah Craig. The 6-1 forward from Phoenix, Arizona, recorded eight points, 12 rebounds and five assists. Jaleesa Molina of Hague, Netherlands, contributed 12 points and five rebounds. Princeton’s defense, which entered the game allowing just 63.2 points per contest, ultimately made the difference. The Tigers forced 22 Temple turnovers and recorded 12 steals, offsetting Temple’s advantages in three-point shooting (12-of-24 to Princeton’s 9-of-22) and offensive rebounding (12-7). The teams were even with 34 points each in the paint. The victory extends Princeton’s strong early-season run, which includes notable wins over Rutgers, Seton Hall and Penn State. The Tigers now turn their attention to Ivy League play, beginning Saturday at Penn. Temple, which had won two straight entering the game, will look to regroup before opening its American Athletic Conference schedule on Jan. 3 against Texas-San Antonio. The Owls’ performance, particularly the fourth-quarter explosion led by Turner, demonstrated a resilience that nearly overcame a monumental early deficit against one of the region’s most efficient teams.

Preview: Temple Owls at Princeton Tigers PRINCETON, N.J. (Interstat) — A surging Princeton squad looks to continue its dominant start when it hosts the Temple Owls in a nonconference women’s basketball matchup Monday at Jadwin Gymnasium. The Tigers (11-1) enter on a nine-game winning streak, most recently edging George Mason 71-69 in overtime on Saturday. Princeton’s offense, averaging over 75 points per game during the streak, is powered by a balanced attack. A player to watch is forward Olivia Hutcherson, who is coming off a strong performance with 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocks against George Mason. Over her last seven games, Hutcherson has averaged 13.6 points and 6.6 rebounds, providing consistent interior production. Temple (6-5) seeks a signature road win after a 59-39 victory over Coppin State on Friday snapped a two-game skid. The Owls have shown volatility, with wins over VCU and George Mason but double-digit losses to power conference opponents Michigan State and West Virginia. Guard Kelian Cedano, who scored a team-high 12 points in 27 minutes against Coppin State, will be a key backcourt presence for Temple. The Owls will need to improve their offensive consistency after being held under 60 points in three of their five losses. Princeton’s defense has been a cornerstone of its success, holding opponents to 60 points or fewer in seven games this season. Their lone loss came against then-Maryland in November. Temple’s challenge will be solving that defense while containing a deep Princeton rotation that features four players averaging double-figure scoring. This game concludes the nonconference slate for both teams. Princeton will open Ivy League play at Penn on Jan. 3, while Temple begins American Athletic Conference action at home against UTSA the same day. Monday’s contest tips off at 7 p.m. EST. Princeton holds a 4-2 advantage in the all-time series, though the teams have not met since 2017.