Temple University Athletics
Temple University
Central Michigan
Men's Basketball Host Central Michigan Saturday in Home Opener
12.1.11 | Men's Basketball
Game is part of doubleheader as Temple women play Auburn at 1:00 pm
Game Notes | Watch Live | Live Stats
PHILADELPHIA - After a stretch of five games away from home, the Temple men's basketball team hosts Central Michigan in its home opener at the Liacouras Center Saturday afternoon (4:00 p.m./1210 AM WPHT/OwlAccess). The game is the second half of a doubleheader as the Temple women's team plays host to Auburn at 1:00 p.m.
The Owls (3-2), under the direction of sixth-year head coach Fran Dunphy, have won 22 straight home games and will be looking to set a new record for most consecutive wins in the arena with a victory. The Cherry and White will also be looking to rebound from a 67-64 loss at Bowling Green on Sunday.
Graduate forward Micheal Eric (10.5 ppg., 11.3 rpg.), who missed the Bowling Green game after reinjuring his right patella in practice on Nov. 25. is out for the next six weeks. Redshirt freshman Anthony Lee, who made his first start in place of Eric against BGSU, set new career highs against the Falcons in points (11), rebounds (9) and minutes (30).
Senior guards Ramone Moore and Juan Fernandez still lead the Owls' attack. Moore leads the team and ranks third in the Atlantic 10 Conference in scoring with an 18.0 average. Fernandez (14.2 ppg.) and junior guard Khalif Wyatt (13.8 ppg.) also score in double figures with the former leading the team in three-pointers (13) and assists (17) and the latter first in steals (10). Junior forward Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson (8.4 ppg., 4.8 rpg.) rounds out the starting five while redshirt junior T.J. DiLeo (5.0 ppg.) and sophomore Aaron Brown (2.4 ppg.) are the top two reserves.
The Chippewas, under the direction of sixth-year coach Ernie Ziegler, are off to a 4-2 start with a win at Pepperdine in their only true road game. The coach's son, sophomore guard Trey Ziegler, leads CMU in scoring (17.2 ppg,) and rebounding (9.3 rpg.). Sophomore guard Derek Jackson (11.5 ppg.) and freshman guard Austin McBroom (10.8 ppg.) also tally in double figures.
Temple won the only previous meeting between the schools, 65-53, a year ago (12/1/10 ) in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
