There is nothing quite like Philadelphia college hoops. The Temple Owls faced off against the LaSalle Explorers at the Palestra. Also known as the “Cathedral of College Basketball”, the Palestra has hosted more basketball games then any other venue in the country.
For years, it was a ritual for the student sections at the Big 5 games to throw streamers onto the court after their school’s first made basket. This tradition was put on halt for years before LaSalle and Temple decided to bring back the famous streamers.
The Owls jumped all the way out to a 20-8 lead in the first half. Junior #25 Quenton DeCosey was in a groove shooting the rock going 3-3 from three-point range and finishing with 14 points in the first half.
The Explorers weren’t going to let Fran Dunphy’s squad run away with this one so quickly. They pulled within 6 points before heading into the locker room. 35-29.
The Owls came out slow in the second half before Mark Williams scored his first points of the game with a basket underneath to end the offense’s scoring drought. The loudest the Cherry Crusade got in the second half was in response to Jaylen Bond’s made three-pointer which banked in off the glass.
The Explorers gave it one last go as Steve Zack got fouled going up for a slam-dunk. His made free throw pulled the
boys up North Broad within 3. Temple freshman Obi Enechionyia plays hero on LaSalle’s last drive coming up with a huge rebound. Final score, Temple 58 LaSalle 57.
The Owls move to 5-3 on the season. They next hit the hardwood Wednesday December 10th at the Liacouras Center where they’ll host Towson(7-2) and look for revenge against the team that upset them last year.
COVERAGE: TV- ESPN3 Radio- 1210 AM WPHT
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