The Temple women’s basketball team suffered a setback this past week with another loss.
Freshman standout Candice Dupree will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks with a fractured metatarsal (a bone in the foot) during practice last week.
Dupree was out for the Owls game against St. Bonaventure, forced to sit on the bench and use crutches to get around.
At the start of the basketball season, many wondered how Temple would be able to fill the void left by several scorers and an inside presence.
The 6-foot-2 Dupree quickly answered those questions.
She established her game in the first three contests earlier this season, scoring in double figures and out rebounding her opponents, giving fans a glimpse of finer things to come.
With Dupree out for the team’s run toward the top spot in the Atlantic 10 Conference’ her 10.7 points a game and seven rebounds a game will be missed.
To fill Dupree’s spot’ the Owls will look to three players in particular’ junior transfer Tynecia Pam’ who started against St. Bonaventure’ as well as freshmen Mercedes Miller and Lorenthea Jones.
Though all three have been coming off the bench for most of the season’ Coach Dawn Staley knows that they will be ready come game time.
“We’ve been prepping them for getting some playing time'” Staley said.
Pam’ Jones and Miller shared time against St. Bonaventure’ having some success but not establishing the type of presence Dupree brings to the court.
Jones showed promise in the game against St. Bonaventure’ grabbing five rebounds’ more than doubling her average.
Pam’s ability to re-bound’ along with Miller and Jones’ ability to score will be crucial’ especially in the rematch against UMass later this month.
Only time will tell how much Dupree will be missed.
Saudia Mitchell can be reached at Saudrae@hotmail.com
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