PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — In a game defined by grinding defense and squandered opportunities, the Temple women’s basketball team edged Memphis 65-62 on Sunday at Liacouras Center to snap a two-game skid.

The contest, an American Athletic Conference matchup, was a struggle for offensive efficiency throughout. Temple improved to 12-14 overall, while Memphis fell to 8-19.

The most critical sequence unfolded in the final 90 seconds with the outcome hanging in the balance. Trailing 61-58, Temple’s Savannah Curry drove and converted a layup while being fouled by Memphis’ Daejah Richmond with 3:21 remaining. Curry completed the three-point play to tie the game, a pivotal momentum shift in a contest where points were at a premium.

On the ensuing Memphis possession, Tamya Smith missed a jumper, but Kennedi Alexander secured the offensive rebound. The Tigers worked the ball to Smith again, who scored inside to reclaim a 62-61 lead with 2:40 left.

Temple answered decisively. After a missed drive by Kaylah Turner, Saniyah Craig grabbed her fifth offensive rebound of the day. She missed the putback, but Cori Allen’s defensive board for Memphis was immediately negated when Smith turned the ball over on the other end, stolen by Jaleesa Molina.

Molina’s driving attempt was blocked by Allen, but Temple retained possession. Following a timeout, the Owls executed perfectly. Turner found Molina for a layup, giving Temple a 63-62 advantage with 1:26 on the clock.

Memphis had two chances to retake the lead. Richmond missed a pull-up jumper, and after a Curry defensive rebound, Temple went to its star. Craig received a pass from Curry and finished a layup with 1:03 remaining, extending the Owl lead to 65-62.

The Tigers, who shot just 5 of 18 from three-point range and 7 of 15 from the free throw line, had two final possessions to force overtime. Brooklynn Charlo missed a three-pointer with 37 seconds left. After a Temple shot clock violation, Memphis called a full timeout with 4.4 seconds remaining. Cori Allen’s contested three-point attempt at the buzzer missed, sealing the Temple victory.

Craig, a 6-foot-1 sophomore from Phoenix, Arizona, was the cornerstone for Temple, posting a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds in 31 minutes. She also added three assists and was a constant force on the glass. Curry, a 5-11 guard from Fallston, Maryland, contributed 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists, with her three-point play proving crucial.

Memphis was led by a stellar individual effort from Daejah Richmond. The 5-8 guard from Cordova, Tennessee, filled the stat sheet with 21 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three blocks in 37 minutes. Kennedi Alexander added 14 points and five rebounds for the Tigers.

The game was a defensive battle from the outset, with both teams forcing turnovers and struggling from the perimeter. Temple finished with 16 steals, leading to 20 Memphis turnovers. The Owls committed 15 turnovers of their own. Neither team shot well, with Temple making 27 of 70 field goals and Memphis 25 of 60. The Owls managed only 2 of 15 from beyond the arc but outscored Memphis 9-7 at the free throw line.

Temple’s defense, particularly in the final minutes, secured the win despite an offensive rating of just 80.1 points per 100 possessions. Memphis finished with an offensive rating of 78.4. The victory defied pregame analytics, as Temple was projected with a 90% probability to win by the Interstat ELO system.

Temple next hosts Rice on Wednesday. Memphis returns home to face East Carolina, also on Wednesday.