Temple University Athletics
Wesby, Greer, lead Temple over Charlotte, 72-64
11.29.01 | Men's Basketball
Greer, who scored 27 points in his last game against Maryland, hit eight-of-fifteen shots from the field and five of six from the free throw line to help the Owls to their first win of the season.
Senior forward Alex Wesby added a career-high 21 points to join Greer as the only other player to score in double figures. Wesby scored 16 of his 21 points in the first half, including four of his five three-pointers.
Charlotte though hung tough with the Owls and held a 32-31 halftime lead behind an 18-1 run to end the first half.
"They have a really good team that could be great," Chaney said after the game. "They go to the tournament just about every year and will probably go again this year. They have a really great shooting team."
Greer though heated up in the second half and helped Temple build a 13-point lead with 1:28 remaining in the game. Charlotte closed the gap with a few late three-pointers, but it wasn't enough as the Owls earned their first victory of the season and gave Chaney his 432nd victory at Temple.
Chaney, along with former coach and fellow Basketball Hall of Famer Harry Litwack, where honored before the game as their banners were raised to the rafters of the Liacouras Center in honor of their inductions.
"I think this is really great for the people who were around Harry," Chaney said. "This gave them the opportunity to honor him...He did so much for us at Temple and is the reason that we are all here today."
Hall of Fame players John Baum, Ollie Johnson, Bill Mlkvy, Pickles Kennedy, Howie Evans, Ed Lerner, Louise Esher, Bruce Drysdale, Jay Norman, Jerry Rullo and Aggie Stegmuller were all in attendance for the raising of the banners.
The Owls only turned the ball over nine times, but struggled inside with Kevin Lyde and Ron Rollerson, who combined for 16 points on 11-for-27 shooting.
"They were at point blank range and were missing shots," Chaney said. "That's why we had Lynn shooting so much is because no one else was making shots."
Rollerson though did have a big night on the glass, hauling in a team high eight rebounds.
Jobey Thomas led Charlotte with 21 points and Demon Brown and Curtis Nash added 15 and 11 points, respectively.
The Owls will play the back-end of a double-header Saturday against Penn State. The game starts at 4:30 and tickets are available via Ticketmaster or the Liacouras Center Box Office.
