March 10, 2008

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.
2008 A-10 Women's Basketball Championship- March 10

(3) Xavier 47 (1) Temple 42

Behind a strong second half performance from freshman Ta'Shia Phillips, third-seeded Xavier upset top-seeded Temple to capture the 2008 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship, 47-42.

"It was a hard-fought game," said Xavier head coach Kevin McGuff. "Temple is a great team that can defend and rebound as well as anybody we've played. I'm really proud with the way we dug in down the stretch in such a hard-fought game to get a lot of great stops and tough rebounds."

With both teams working feverishly to maintain defensive pressure, neither Xavier (24-8) nor Temple (22-12) were able to consistently hit shots, combining for a 16-for-55 (.291) showing in the first half. A swarming Owls' defense held A-10 Rookie of the Year Phillips to just a single point in the half, which ended with the Owl's up, 24-21.

The remainder of the contest proved to be equally difficult for both squads offensively, but Phillips wouldn't stay silent for long, erupting for 12 points and seven rebounds in the second half. Aided by an impressive performance from junior teammate Jerri Taylor, who shot four-for-six from the floor and connected on both attempts from behind the arc, the Musketeers took the lead with just over four minutes remaining, 40-39.

Clinging to the modest one-point advantage, Phillips scored on consecutive possessions to put the game out of reach and seal the team's second consecutive Atlantic 10 Championship. For her efforts, she was awarded the A-10 Championship's Most Outstanding Performer.

"We're really excited because this is what we came to do," said Phillips. "All year we focused in, worked hard and pulled together at the right time to do exactly what we set out to do - win the A-10 Championship."

All-Championship selection Ashley Morris led the Owls in scoring, hitting four-for-20 from the field, finishing with 12 points. She also handed out four assists and came up with three steals for Temple.


Joining Morris on the All-Championship team was senior teammate Lady Comfort, who brought down a team-high 11 boards in the loss.

"The loss is hard because we really wanted this game, this championship," said Comfort. "We just have to be prepared, get a bid and take it out on our next opponent."

Dayton senior Nikki Oakland, along with Xavier's Amber Harris and Phillips rounded out the all-Championship team.

With the win, Xavier earns the league's automatic bid to the 2008 NCAA Championship.