In one of the toughest seasons in memory for the Temple Men's Basketball program, things were about to get even tougher as they welcomed #23 SMU to the Liacouras Center.
In a rematch with a Mustangs squad that dominated them just more than a week ago, the Owls would find themselves at an even bigger disadvantage, as they would be without the services of the leading rebounder in the AAC, Anthony Lee (8.9 RPG).
The Owls would overcome adversity however, as Dalton Pepper scored 24 points to lead Temple to a 71-64 victory, their first over a ranked opponent this season and just their seventh win overall.
In a rematch with a Mustangs squad that dominated them just more than a week ago, the Owls would find themselves at an even bigger disadvantage, as they would be without the services of the leading rebounder in the AAC, Anthony Lee (8.9 RPG).
The Owls would overcome adversity however, as Dalton Pepper scored 24 points to lead Temple to a 71-64 victory, their first over a ranked opponent this season and just their seventh win overall.
SMU would get off to a hot start, leading by as much as 9 in the first half, but consecutive three-pointers by Mark Williams would pull the Owls to within 24-23 with 5:19 remaining in the half. A jumper by Quenton DeCosey would give the Owls a 25-24 lead, their first of the game.
The Owls would close the half strong, going to the locker room with a 34-30 lead, as they outrebounded the conference's top team in rebounding margin (+6.6) 18-12 and 5-0 on the offensive glass.
Pepper would lead the Owls in the half, scoring 12, while Williams and DeCosey would add 8 apiece, with Williams grabbing 7 rebounds in the half as well.
Despite shooting just 39.3 percent in the half, the Owls would find themselves with a lead at the break thanks to six made three-pointers in the half, compared to just one by the Mustangs.
Markus Kennedy would score 9 in the first half for the Mustangs, who made 50 percent of their shots, but found themselves in the unfamiliar position of losing the battle on the glass.
The Mustangs would regain the lead with just over 17 minutes remaining in the game, as a jumper by Nick Russell put them ahead 41-39. Temple take back the lead at 49-48 however, one the Owls would not relinquish for the remainder of the contest on their way to a 71-64 victory.
Pepper led four Owls who finished in double figures for the game, as he scored 24. DeCosey and Will Cummings would add 13 apiece, and Mark Williams would add 10 for a short-staffed Temple squad.
Kennedy led the Mustangs with 18 points, but SMU lost the battle on the glass decisively, as a Temple squad without its top rebounder was able to outrebound the Mustangs 38-25 in the game.
After picking up just their seventh victory of the season, Temple will welcome yet another ranked squad to the Liacouras Center, as they face #24 Connecticut on Thursday.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
The Owls would close the half strong, going to the locker room with a 34-30 lead, as they outrebounded the conference's top team in rebounding margin (+6.6) 18-12 and 5-0 on the offensive glass.
Pepper would lead the Owls in the half, scoring 12, while Williams and DeCosey would add 8 apiece, with Williams grabbing 7 rebounds in the half as well.
Despite shooting just 39.3 percent in the half, the Owls would find themselves with a lead at the break thanks to six made three-pointers in the half, compared to just one by the Mustangs.
Markus Kennedy would score 9 in the first half for the Mustangs, who made 50 percent of their shots, but found themselves in the unfamiliar position of losing the battle on the glass.
The Mustangs would regain the lead with just over 17 minutes remaining in the game, as a jumper by Nick Russell put them ahead 41-39. Temple take back the lead at 49-48 however, one the Owls would not relinquish for the remainder of the contest on their way to a 71-64 victory.
Pepper led four Owls who finished in double figures for the game, as he scored 24. DeCosey and Will Cummings would add 13 apiece, and Mark Williams would add 10 for a short-staffed Temple squad.
Kennedy led the Mustangs with 18 points, but SMU lost the battle on the glass decisively, as a Temple squad without its top rebounder was able to outrebound the Mustangs 38-25 in the game.
After picking up just their seventh victory of the season, Temple will welcome yet another ranked squad to the Liacouras Center, as they face #24 Connecticut on Thursday.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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