Temple University Athletics
MEN'S BASKETBALL CRUSHES DUQUESNE TO GO 2-0 IN A-10 PLAY
1.9.02 | Men's Basketball
Temple (5-8, 2-0) shot over 50 percent from the field (30-57, 52.6%) for the first time in the 2001-02 season and also had its best effort from three-point range (15-32, 46.9%) while rolling to the easy victory. Visiting Duquesne (5-8, 0-2) was limited to a 37.3 percent shooting percentage while dropping its second straight to open the conference season.
The Owls got off to a sluggish start, falling behind 5-0 on a layup by the Dukes' Kevin Forney at the 18:26 mark of the first period. But back-to-back three-pointers by David Hawkins and Greer put the Owls on top for good just a minute later. The teams traded baskets over the next four minutes and a free throw by the Dukes' Brad Midgley narrowed the Temple margin to 11-10 with 13:22 left in the half. Senior Alex Wesby, who missed the Owls' previous game at Fordham following the death of his mother, scored on a tip-in to ignite a 23-6 run over the next 11 minutes that settled the issue. Another follow-up by Brian Polk gave Temple a commanding 41-22 advantage at intermission.
In the second half it was more of the same, as Wesby's three-pointer at the 14:28 mark pushed Temple's lead over 30 at 59-28. The Owls lead went as high as 39, as Coach John Chaney emptied his bench. Along with Greer, Polk (14), Wesby (13), Nile Murry (12), Kevin Lyde (11) and Hawkins (10) all finished with double-figure scoring totals, another first for Temple this season. Lyde became the 37th player in Temple basketball history to eclipse the 1,000-point mark for his four-year career.
Temple dominated every phase of the contest, posting a 37-23 rebound advantage and committing just seven turnovers to Duquesne's 13. The game also marked the 49th consecutive win for the Owls when holding an opponent below 50 points.
