The Saint Joseph's women's basketball team opened its 2018-19 season in classic Big 5 fashion with a battle to the final whistle versus rival Temple. Down by seven late, the Hawks rallied for a chance to tie it in the final seconds, but unfortunately came up just short as they fell to the Owls, 58-52, at Hagan Arena on Friday.

Making her collegiate debut after redshirting 2017-18 with a knee injury, Katie Jekot led all scorers with 16 points, while senior Alyssa Monaghan finished with 14 points and added a game-high five assists to go with seven rebounds.

Trailing 52-45 with under three minutes to play, Saint Joseph's made it a 54-52 game with 1:13 to go off an offensive rebound and putback by rookie Katie Mayock.

The Owls (2-0, 1-0 Big 5) extended their next possession with a pair of offensive rebounds, followed by Emani Mayo hitting one of two free throws to push Temple's lead to three with :19 left on the clock.

Out of a timeout, the Hawks' Katie Jekot missed a jumpshot, but grabbed her rebound. Looking to score quickly, Jekot hoisted a three-pointer that missed its mark and fell into the hands of a Temple defender. The Owls closed out the game from there going 3-of-4 from the line.

In the 81st matchup between the two city schools, Temple got off to a fast start as it took a 9-0 lead to begin the game.

Slowly chipping away at the Owls' lead, the Hawks tied the game at 23 all on a Monaghan three-pointer midway through the second quarter and went into halftime tied at 27-27.

After trading baskets to start the third period, Temple used a 7-0 run to close the quarter and take a 45-39 lead into the final 10 minutes of play.

Sparked by a jumper from junior Nailah Delinois, the Hawks opened the fourth quarter on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 45-45.

Temple again answered SJU's surge, scoring seven straight before the Hawks staged their final comeback.

For the game, the Hawks shot 32.2 percent from the field (19-of-59), 25.8 percent from behind the arc (8-of-31) and hit 6-of-7 from the foul line. 

Starting in her first college game, Mayock finished with eight points, five rebounds and two blocks, while classmate Elizabeth Marsicano added six points. Missing the two previous seasons due to injury, Delinois made the most of her first career game as she added six points, four rebounds and three steals. Sophomore Mary Sheehan rounded out the scoring with two points and match Monaghan with a team-high seven rebounds.

Desiree Oliver led three Owls in double figures with 15 points.

Saint Joseph's (0-1, 0-1 Big 5) returns to action this Sunday at Drexel at 2 p.m.

GAME NOTES: SJU is now 44-37 all-time versus Temple...Graduate student Rachel Gartner added a rebound in her SJU debut...Senior Michala Clay grabbed a rebound and had an assist....Classmate Whisper Fisher played 4:38.

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