The Guru NCAAW Report: Temple Overcome by No. 24 Cal’s Second Half Surge; Easy Wins for Notre Dame, Kansas State, Texas and Oklahoma

By Mel Greenberg @womhoopsguru

Sunday a small smattering of games marked the overall end of the front part of the season ahead of the holiday break and the conclusion of non-conference action.

Only one local saw action and for 20 minutes it appeared Temple might grab another tournament crown less than a month after beating Villanova for the Big Five Classic title in the Wildcats’ building.

Playing in the title game of California’s Raising the B.A.R. Invitational event in the No. 24 Golden Bears’ Haas Pavilion in Berkeley out west, the Owls (6-5) trailed close at 40-35.

But then the proverbial roof fell in as Cal (13-1) dominated the third quarter 29-13 going on to an 89-63 victory.

Tristen Taylor shot 7-10 from the field for Temple, including 3-4 from deep for 17 points, the only Owl in double figures.

Cal’s Ioanna Krimili and Lulu Twidale each scored 20 and made six shots from deep. Kayla Williams scored 17 points and Ugonne Oniyah scored 12.

Nationally, No. 3 Notre Dame won easily at home 97-54 over Loyola, Md. (5-5) as Merchantville’s Hannah Hidalgo scored 33 points, two off her personal best for the Fighting Irish (10-2), and also had 5 of her team’s 20-0 advantage in steals.

Olivia Miles had her fifth triple double with 18 points, 11 boards, and 10 assists, and is the sole player nationally with averages of 17 points, six boards, and six assists. Pitt transfer Liatu King had 18 points and 10 boards.

Loyola’s Laura Salmeron scored 23.

No. 13 Kansas State (13-1) hosted Cincinnati (8-3) and won 76-59 as Temira Poindexter scored 23 points, Serena Sundell had 11 points and 11 assists in a Big 12 opener.

No. 6 Texas (12-1) essily beat Summit League favorite South Dakota State 103-57 as Justice Carlton scored 19 with nine boards, Taylor Jones had 15 points and 11 points, with four blocks, snd Rori Harmon had 13 points, seven assists, and six steals.

Brooklyn Meyer had 13 points for the visitors (10-3) and Emilee Fox scored 11 points.

No. 10 Oklahoma (11-1) beat visiting Omaha 111-65 as Reagan Beers equaled a career high with 28 points in Norman.

The Sooners snapped a seven-game win streak by the Mavericks (8-5)

And that’s the report.