Box Score PHILADELPHIA, PA --- Playing in their first game in over two weeks, the Howard University women's basketball team fell to the Temple University Owls, 83-58, on Thursday evening at McGonigle Hall.

Redshirt freshman guard Te'Shya Heslip led Howard (3-7) with 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting and notched five rebounds, a pair of steals and a game-high six assists. Sophomore center Victoria Gonzalez added 17 points as HU's only other player in double figures.

The Owls scored the game's first four points, which the Lady Bison would counter with a 5-0 spurt of its own to take its first lead at the 16:59 mark. However, a rash of turnovers (10 of the teams' 23) and a lack of scoring during an 11-minute, 34-10 Temple run gave the Owls their biggest lead of the half, 38-15, with 5:45 remaining.

HU would outscore Temple 20-11 the rest of the way to cut their deficit to 14 at halftime, 49-35.

A pair of jumpers by junior forward Cheyenne Brown and a layup by Heslip put HU on a quick 6-2 run to open the second half and trim Temple's lead to 51-41 with 18:04 to go.

Unfortunately, the Lady Bison would go cold again over another 11-plus minute span, surrendering a 24-8 burst to the hosts to fall behind by 26 points (75-49) with under six minutes on the clock.

When asked about the team's overall performance, Howard head coach Tennille Adams said, "there were flashes where the team played well on defense and made strong plays. We just have to find a way consistently bring that energy and avoid the scoring droughts that have hurt us this season, especially with conference play right around the corner."

The team did receive an emotional boost with the return of sophomore guard Imani Bailey. The 5-7 Laurel, MD native and returner from last year's team missed the first nine games of the season with a hip injury. Bailey checked in at the 12:01 mark of the first half and hit her first basket on a steal-and-score with 13:53 to go in the second. Overall, Bailey played seven minutes, went 1-for-3, and logged one rebound, steal, assist and turnover.

HU will return to the court after the Christmas break on December 28-29 when the Lady Bison compete in the University of Maryland Terrapin Classic. Howard will play the second game on the 28^th against the College of Charleston at 2:30 pm and will face either Wofford College or Maryland on the 29^th at 11:00 am or 1:30 pm.