No. 20 Temple 79, Duquesne 44

2/5/2006 4:29 PM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Kamesha Hairston and Khadija Bowens each scored 16 points and No. 20 Temple scored the first 21 points of the game on its way to a 79-44 victory over Duquesne on Sunday.

Candice Dupree added 13 points for the Owls (17-5, 8-2 Atlantic 10), who won their third straight and improved to 8-0 against teams with losing records. Lady Comfort and Stephanie Hicks each had eight points each for the Owls.

The Dukes (9-13, 4-7) missed their first eight shots and had 11 turnovers while falling behind 27-2.

Brittany Warren made two foul shots with just over 10 minutes left in the first half for Duquesne's first points, and Loui Hall hit a 3-pointer with 8:43 to play for Duquesne's first field goal.

Temple led 45-12 at the break and extended its lead to 42 points when Gwen Browne hit one of two free throws for a 66-24 advantage with 11:06 remaining.

Carmen Bruce scored 10 points and Warren added nine points for the Dukes, who shot 22 percent in the first half and 32 percent overall. The Dukes committed 20 of their 29 turnovers in the first half.