Kristen McCarthy and Marli Bennett each scored 14 points as Temple scored a 67-64 overtime win over Dayton to advance to today's Atlantic 10 championship game with Xavier in Upper Marlboro, Md.
"It was a hell of a game," said Owls coach Tonya Cardoza. "These guys fought and had to come up with big defensive stops. I'm just really proud of them. No one thought we would be here, but they really wanted it and worked hard all year to put themselves in this position."
The game was tied, 57-57, after regulation, and Dayton (24-7) jumped to a five-point lead to open overtime. Temple (24-7) finally regained the lead on an offensive rebound and putback by Natasha Thames with 42 seconds to play in OT. Thames (four points, six rebounds, three blocks in 13 minutes) then blocked a shot by Dayton and LaKeisha Eaddy hit two free throws to give Temple its final three-point margin.
Temple will play No. 5 Xavier (26-3), a 51-49 winner over Charlotte, today at 5 p.m.
The Rams have the No. 4 seed in the eight-team regional, which will be played at Stonehill College, the top seed in the field, in Easton, Mass., on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Despite his 905 career wins, Herb Magee's last tournament victory was 9 years ago.
* Holy Family University (28-2) received the second seed in the women's NCAA Division II East Region, and will open play with the University of Bridgeport (Conn.) Friday at Fitchburg, Mass. Franklin Pierce is the region's top seed.
It will be Holy Family's seventh straight appearance in the tournament.
