December is here and it is an exciting time of the year at Temple Athletics. The semester is winding down and our winter sports teams are in full swing.

It was great seeing so many people at the Philadelphia Big 5 Classic at the Wells Fargo Center Saturday.Although our men’s basketball team was not able to capture the Big 5 Championship, I am proud of the team earning a spot in the last game of the day at Wells Fargo Arena. It was great to have Larry Dougherty recognized for his induction into the Big 5 Hall of Fame.

Finally, I want to give a shout out the members of our staff who served on the various committees to make the first year of the new format a success. THANK YOU!!

Over a two-month period we are highlighting Temple Athletics’ Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Our latest features in the series include field hockey’s Addison Bielsky, who spent her summer shadowing a pediatrician at Wyoming Valley Pediatrics, and gymnast Hannah Stallings, who worked over the summer at a pregnancy center in her hometown of Raleigh, N.C.

Congratulations to our very own Larry Dougherty on being inducted into the Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fame at the Wells Fargo Center on Dec. 2. Larry recently retired from his full-time position as Senior Associate Athletics Director for Strategic Communications after 20 years at Temple.He is the only person in Big 5 history to lead communications staffs at two member schools, having previously served in the same capacity at his alma mater, Saint Joseph’s, for 15 years prior to coming to Temple.

Men’s Basketball advanced to the first-ever Big 5 Championship game in its new format with a thrilling 106-99 triple overtime win over La Salle on Nov. 29. It was just the fifth triple overtime game in Big 5 history and the first since 1980. Six Temple players scored in double figures led by Hysier Miller (20) and Steve Settle III (19, 16 rebounds). The Owls, unfortunately, lost in the championship game to Saint Joseph’s in the nightcap of a tripleheader on Dec. 2, 74-65.

Women’s Basketball split two games at the Briann January Classic in Tempe, Az., defeating Xavier, 78-41, in the first game before falling to Pacific, 79-78 on Dec. 2. The Owls rallied from a 16-point deficit against Pacific, but Aleah Nelson’s (17 pts) jumper in the closing seconds missed the mark.

Fencing was back in action at the Sacred Heart Invitational and the Owls went a perfect 4-0 at the event. Five Owls were perfect in competition led by Lauren Johnson’s unblemished 9-0 record in the sabre. The team is now off the remainder of 2023 before returning to competition in January.

Football honored its 14 graduating seniors at its season finale against Memphis on Nov. 24. Playing their final game in the Cherry and White were Amad Anderson Jr., Elijah Clark, Tywan Francis, Jacob Hollins, Layton Jordan, Jerquavion Mahone, David Martin-Robinson, Quincy Patterson, Camden Price, Yvandy Rigby, Rich Rodriguez, Jordan Smith, and Lancine Turay.

Women’s Track opened its indoor season at the Youree Spence Garcia Meet hosted by St. John’s. Allie Riches picked up right where she left off last year, recording a personal best 4.10 m pole vault, marking the eighth time in her career she set a program record in the event. Four newcomers, Jade Pope (400m), Nya Browne (60m hurdles), Inara Shell (triple jump) and Obiamaka Igwenagu (long jump), won their respective events.

Special shoutout to our Athlete of the Week since our last edition of From The Nest: Men’s Basketball – Jordan Riley named OwlSports.com Player of the Week (12/4) and Zion Stanford named AAC Freshman of the Week (12/4); Football - David Martin-Robinson and Jordan Magee each earned All-Conference Second Team, while Wisdom Quarshie and Victor Stoffel both received All-Conference Honorable Mention.

Temple Talk with Adam Fisher debuted on Nov. 2 (6-7 pm) at Maxi’s Pizza, Subs and Bar which is located on the Temple University main campus. (1926 Liacouras Walk). The 12-episode show airs live on The Varsity Network App and is tape-delayed on 1210 AM WPHT, the home of Temple Basketball. Temple Women’s Basketball will be featured on each show with second-year head coach Diane Richardson and players talking about their season.

Reminder that ESPN+ is the home of Temple Athletics. Watch Temple athletics events via an ESPN+ subscription.

Please come out and continue to support all our Temple Athletics teams. Below is a link to our composite schedule.

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