25th ranked SMU took down Temple at the Liacouras Center by a final score of 66-50 for its seventh consecutive win, and 17th of its last 18th.
Mustang junior forward Semi Ojeleye led the way for 2nd ranked team in the AAC, with 30 points to go along with 10 rebounds. He also made 10-11 free throws on the night. Ojeleye was the leading scorer for SMU when they defeated Temple just over a month ago.
The Owls matched up well with SMU early in the first half, and were tied with the Mustangs after the second media timeout. SMU subsequently went on a 10-0 to take a 13 point lead at 28-13.
Temple’s offensive woes continued in the opening 20 minutes of play, shooting just 24 percent from the field in the first half, and just 3-14 from beyond the arc.
SMU capitalized on 11 Temple first half turnovers, scoring 11 points on the other end. SMU also had nine turnovers, allowing seven Temple points off turnovers at the other end of the floor.
The Mustangs, who lead the AAC in three point percentage, shot just 1-7 from three in the first half, and just 32 percent from the field overall. Junior forward Semi Ojeleye led all scorers at the half with 13 points.
Temple managed to stay within single digits for most of the second half, cutting the lead to six with under eight minutes remaining in the game.
SMU took from that point forward, closing out the game on a 15-5 run. Both teams finished the game with 16 turnovers apiece, and each team had 72 possessions. The game marked the 7th in a row with double digit turnovers for the Owls.
“We did not handle it well, it certainly hurt us in the first half,” said Fran Dunphy on the full court press of SMU.
Shizz Alston led the way for the Owls with 13 points, followed by Quinton Rose with 12, and Daniel Dingle with 10.
The Mustangs dominated the glass, with a 49-32 rebound advantage. SMU also collected 15 offensive rebounds on the night. Obi Enechionyia led the Owls with a 11 rebounds.
“We didn’t get to the glass enough, we could’ve done that better,” said Enechionyia.
Senior guard Sterling Brown was the only other Mustang in double figures besides Ojeleye on the night, followed by two more SMU players with nine points.
“I give Temple credit, I thought they defended very well, they made us uncomfortable at times,” said SMU coach Tim Jankovich.
The Owls held SMU to under 40 percent shooting from the field, and just 23 percent from beyond the arc. The Mustangs entered the game the leading team in the AAC in terms of three point percentage.
Temple has little layover time, as they travel to Tennessee on Sunday to take on the 18-7 Memphis Tigers, whom the Owls defeated 77-66 on January 25.
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