On a snowy Saturday afternoon in North Philadelphia, Big 5 basketball tipped off once again as the Owls (5-2) took on the Hawks (4-4).
Temple was able to withstand St. Joeseph’s late surge to earn an 81-78 win over their Big 5 foe.
Temple came into the game after having beaten Wisconsin this past Wednesday, for the Hawks, they came in after a blowout loss to No. 4 Villanova last week.
Early on in the contest, St. Joe’s went on an early 17-2 run jumping out to a 17-8 lead. But Temple would respond quickly with a 10-0 run of their own to retake the lead.
After trading baskets back and forth, Temple would go on yet another run, this time 12-0 getting some separation. The run was highlighted by a thunderous put-back dunk by Quinton Rose.
At the half, Temple led 40-29, ending the half on an impressive 17-3 run. Shizz Alston led all scorers with 15, shooting 4-5 from 3-point land.
In the second half, Temple was able to withstand minor St. Joe’s runs to keep them at arm’s length. With 10 minutes to go in the game, Temple held a 10-point lead. The Owls’ would extend their lead to 16 points with 5 minutes remaining.
Though with 1:30 remaining, the Hawks would make it interesting by cutting the Owls’ lead to 4 to cap off a 17-2 run. After a Shizz Alston offensive foul, the Hawks would get the ball back and take a trip to the free throw line, but the Hawks’ would miss both.
Evading the late comeback by the Hawks, the Owls would prevail and earn their second home victory of the season, improving to 6-2, while the Hawks fall to 4-5.
Shizz Alston led scorers with 20, followed by Quinton Rose who had 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists. Josh Brown added 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists and Ernest Aflakpui with his best game of the year with 12 points and 6 rebounds.
Next up for the Temple Owls is No. 4 Villanova at The Liacouras Center this Wednesday at 7 PM.
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