Temple University Athletics
18 TURNOVERS DOOM MEN'S BASKETBALL TO 70-62 DEFEAT IN BIG 5 SHOWDOWN AT VILLANOVA
12.31.02 | Men's Basketball
Things looked positive for Temple in a first half, as the Owls held the lead for approximately 13 of the opening stanza's 20 minutes. After Villanova scored the game's first five points, Temple scored 25 of the next 38 digits to take a 25-18 advantage with 5:29 remaining in the opening half. The Wildcats, however, entered the locker room at the midpoint with the momentum, scoring 13 of the final 18 first half point to take a 31-30 lead.
Temple junior Brian Polk scored 15 points in the first half and led all scorers at the break. The Owls committed 10 turnovers prior to the intermission while allowing Villanova to grab nine offensive rebounds.
The first six minutes of the second half featured five lead changes as Villanova's full court press began to show its effectiveness. Despite its difficulties handling the ball and establishing its passing, Temple held a 48-45 lead with 9:16 remaining. This was largely due to the early second half shooting of Maurice Collins, who scored 10 of the Owls' first 12 second half points.
The latter stages of the second half proved the difference in the ball game.
After forcing a steal, Jason Sullivan converted a layup to give the Wildcats a 50-48 advantage with 8:23 remaining and the home club never looked back. On the heels of a 27-9 scoring run, Villanova took a 13 point lead, its largest lead of the game, on a Curtis Sumpter slam dunk with the clock showing 0:39 seconds and the scoreboard reading 70-57. Temple scored the game's final five points to register the 70-62 final.
Temple senior Alex Wesby was held scoreless in the second half while totaling a season low three points. Polk and Collins paced the Owls in the scoring column with 18 points each while David Hawkins contributed 17. Allen Ray scored 16 points to lead Villanova.
Temple wastes no time in its return to the hardwood, as the Owls host Wisconsin in a 7:00 p.m. contest at the Liacouras Center on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003.
