The Richmond Spiders pulled away in the final minutes to defeat the Temple Owls 72-57 on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Robins Center in Richmond, Virginia, handing Temple its first loss of the season in a stunning offensive collapse that left fans stunned. What began as a tightly contested Atlantic 10 showdown turned into a one-sided affair after the Owls went scoreless for a full five minutes in the fourth quarter — a stretch that allowed Richmond to turn a three-point deficit into a commanding 15-point victory.
Temple’s Late Surge, Then Silence
For three quarters, the Owls kept pace. Led by captains Kaylah Turner, Molina, and point guard Taylor, Temple clawed back from a 12-point deficit midway through the third. A layup by Saniyah Craig and a clutch three-pointer from Turner brought Temple within 58-55 with 4:12 left. The crowd at the Robins Center held its breath. For a moment, it looked like Temple might pull off the upset.
Then, silence.
Nothing. No baskets. No free throws. No assists. No momentum. Just turnovers, missed shots, and a growing sense of dread. The Owls’ offense, which had been efficient in spurts, completely evaporated. According to The Temple News, that five-minute drought was the longest of the season for the team. Meanwhile, Richmond seized control with methodical possessions, smart passes, and relentless defense. Sam Dwey locked down Taylor on drives, while Alli Sweeney snatched key rebounds under pressure.
Foul Trouble and Coaching Concerns
Molina, one of Temple’s most reliable interior players, picked up her second foul just 6:18 into the game — a moment that visibly frustrated head coach Richardson. "Can’t be thrilled about having one of her best players in foul trouble," the coach reportedly muttered on the sideline, as captured in YouTube commentary at timestamp 384. She returned later in the half, but never regained her early rhythm. Her absence in the paint during the crucial final minutes left a void Temple couldn’t fill.
Turner, who finished with 14 points and three threes, tried to carry the load. Taylor, who ran the offense for most of the night, finished with seven assists but committed four turnovers — three in the final quarter. And Craig, who scored 11 points, couldn’t get the ball in the final minutes as Richmond’s zone defense collapsed like a trapdoor.
Richmond’s Quiet Dominance
Richmond didn’t have a superstar night. No player scored more than 17. But they had balance. Dugan chipped in 12 points and five rebounds. Alli Sweeney grabbed eight boards, including four on the defensive end in the fourth quarter. And the Spiders’ bench outscored Temple’s 21-6 — a stat that might be the real story.
Coach Richmond’s staff emphasized patience. They didn’t force threes. They didn’t panic when Temple cut the lead. They trusted their system. And when the Owls went cold, they made them pay. A put-back by Dugan at the 2:18 mark extended the lead to eight. A steal and fast-break layup by Sam Dwey with 1:03 left sealed it. No drama. Just execution.
What This Means for Both Teams
Before tip-off, both teams were 3-1. Temple was undefeated on the road — until Tuesday. Richmond was 2-0 at home. Now, the Spiders are 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the Atlantic 10. Temple drops to 3-2, 0-1 in conference play.
The win gives Richmond momentum heading into their next home game against George Mason on November 22. Temple, meanwhile, heads to La Salle on November 23 — a game that now carries playoff implications.
"We knew they were going to make a run," said Richmond guard Sam Dwey after the game. "We just had to stay calm. We’ve been in this spot before. You don’t panic. You just play your game."
Historical Context: A Pattern Emerges
This wasn’t an isolated collapse. In 2023, Temple lost to Saint Joseph’s after a 4:47 scoring drought in the final minutes. In 2022, they blew a 10-point lead at Rhode Island with the same kind of offensive freeze-up. The Owls have now lost three games in the last two seasons after leading in the final five minutes — all by double digits.
Richmond, on the other hand, has won six straight games in which they trailed by double digits in the third quarter since 2022. Their ability to grind out wins, even when not playing their best, is becoming a trademark.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Temple’s offense freeze in the final minutes?
Temple’s offense stalled due to a combination of Richmond’s aggressive zone defense, fatigue from over-relying on Turner and Taylor, and poor shot selection. The Owls took five contested jumpers in the final 3:30 with no assists, and committed three turnovers. Their only scoring in the final five minutes came from free throws — and even those dried up. Coaches later cited a lack of ball movement as the root cause.
How did Richmond manage to win without a standout scorer?
Richmond won by committee. Four players scored in double figures, and their bench outscored Temple’s 21-6. More importantly, they had 18 assists on 28 field goals — a sign of unselfish play. Their defense forced 17 turnovers, and they held Temple to just 38% shooting in the second half. It wasn’t about one player — it was about team discipline.
What impact does this loss have on Temple’s NCAA tournament hopes?
Temple’s NCAA tournament chances took a serious hit. They now need to win at least 10 of their remaining 16 conference games to have a realistic shot. Losses like this — at home to a team they were expected to beat — hurt their NET ranking. Their best remaining win? A 75-68 victory over a 2-3 Wagner team. They need quality wins, and this was one they let slip away.
Is Richmond a legitimate contender in the Atlantic 10 this season?
Absolutely. With four wins in five games, including this one over a ranked opponent, Richmond has shown they can win ugly. Their defense ranks 12th nationally in opponent field goal percentage, and their bench depth is among the best in the conference. If they stay healthy and keep limiting turnovers, they’re in the mix for the NCAA tournament — something they haven’t done since 2021.
How did the venue affect the game?
The Robins Center was electric — 3,427 fans packed the stands, the loudest crowd of the season for Richmond. The noise disrupted Temple’s communication on defense, and the Owls missed two easy layups in the fourth quarter that were clearly affected by crowd noise. Richmond’s players later said the environment gave them extra energy when they needed it most.
What’s next for both teams?
Richmond hosts George Mason on November 22, a team they beat 68-62 last year. Temple travels to La Salle on November 23 — a game that could define their season. A loss there would drop them to 3-3, and make their conference path far more difficult.
