After being picked to finish 6th in the conference in the 2015-2016 season, and then coming out as regular season champions, optimism is not far-fetched for Temple fans. However, Temple’s 2016-2017 start is not looking so optimistic. Temple is in a rut, and does not seem to know how to get out. They started conference play 0-3, and have lost five of their last 6 games.
DOWN TO THE WIRE:
Temple and Tulsa battled back and forth all game. Both teams held th
eir share of the lead throughout the game, with no lead exceeding 8 points. In the last 4 minutes of the game, it was a deadlock at 68. Temple found themselves with the ball with 43 seconds left. After a timeout, they could not produce any offense out of their possession, giving Tulsa the ball with 14 seconds remaining. Fourteen seconds was all Tulsa needed for Sterling Taplin to drive the lane and lay it up
for 2. With just over 3 seconds left for the Owls to combat, Shizz Alston let off a long shot, a little prematurely, and it was no good. Another close battle for the Owls that they were not able to come out victorious.
Whizz Kid, Shizz Kid:
Although only 
3 Temple players were able to score in double figures, Shizz Alsto
n was on a roll leading the way for all scorers. The sophomore point guard went 10-20 and 5-13 from the 3 to put together a new career high of 25 points. Obi Enechionyia followed with 15 points, and Dan Dingle contributing 14. Although Tempe shot the ball fairly decent, 44.6% from the field and 32.1% from behind the arc, Tulsa just shot better. The Hurricanes went 52.2% from the field, making up for going just 6-20 from the 3.
Free Throws Win Games:
The charity stripe is a place Temple has struggled from all season. Not only are they not very efficient from the line, but they struggle to even get there sometimes. The Owls went 69% from the foul line, and the Tulsa only shot 76%. However, Tulsa shot 21 free throws, and Temple only shot 13. With Temple shooting just
under 70% from the line in this matchup, going to the line another 8 times could have sealed a close victory.
CATCH THEM NEXT:
The Owls are back in action Wednesday January 18th, where they will take on the Cincinnati Bearcats once again at 7pm. Temple is hoping to increases to 2-5 in the AAC and 11-9 overall
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