The Auburn women's basketball team will have revenge on its mind when it takes on Temple University in Philadelphia Saturday.
The Tigers will step away from the friendly confines of Auburn Arena--where they hold a 3-0 record--for the third time this season and attempt to improve their 1-1 record on the road.
The Tigers will try to avenge their loss to the Owls in Auburn last year.
Auburn led by as many as seven points late in the game, but Temple hit a 3-point shot with just over a minute left to take the lead, holding on to win 62-61.
Coach Nell Fortner said while Auburn's record so far this season is respectable, she is not content with the way the team has played.
"I am a coach, so no," Fortner said. "I am never satisfied, and I always want us to be better. We still have a long way to go."
Junior forward Blanche Alverson is the leading returning scorer from the game against Temple.
Alverson said she believes this year's Tigers have a long way to go until they can be considered an elite team, but they are making progress toward achieving that goal.
"I think we are getting better each game," Alverson said. "We were a little sloppy in the second half of (University of South Carolina) Upstate.
"We have to cut that out and play a full game for 40 minutes. That is what we have to work on to get better."
The Owls are led by Kristen McCarthy and Shey Peddy at 13.5 and 13.3 average points per game, respectively.
Alverson and sophomore guard Camille Glymph have led Auburn in scoring in every game except the first against Mercer.
Auburn is hoping the hot shooting of freshman guard Hasina Muhammad continues. Muhammad has scored double digits in four of her first five games as a Tiger.
Muhammad said her success comes from being herself and attacking the goal, adding that her coaches have told her to hover around the rim to make plays.
Muhammad believes she still has a lot of work to do to become a better all-around player, though.
"I still need to work on my rebounding and on-the-ball defense," Muhammad said.
Temple has a 2-4 record this season, with all of their losses coming on the road. They have only lost two games at home the past two seasons.
The Owls won their first two games against the University of Miami (Ohio) and Northeastern University, but then lost their past four games to Ohio State, Northern Illinois, Texas A&M and St. John's University.
Auburn has outscored opponents such as Mercer, Belmont, George Washington and USC Upstate.
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