Temple University Athletics
OWLS GUT OUT HARD-FOUGHT 75-70 OVERTIME WIN AT DAYTON
2.28.02 | Men's Basketball
Led by Sean Finn and D.J. Stelly, the Flyers (17-9, 9-6) took an early 16-11 lead in the first half and extended that lead to 30-22 with 6:21 left before halftime. The Owls however turned to their All-American candidate, Lynn Greer, who scored on two three-point baskets and was fouled on both, converting two four-point plays. One of the four-point plays fueled a 12-3 Owl run over the next 3:28 to give the visitors a 34-33 lead. With the scored tied, Brooks Hall dropped in a basket at the buzzer to give Dayton a 38-36 halftime lead. The Owls stayed in the game on the strength of Greer's 18 first-half points along with nine from Kevin Lyde. The well-played first half saw Temple commit just two turnovers while Dayton had just three.
The Owls took their first lead (44-43) in the second half following a three-point basket by sophomore Brian Polk. The three was sandwiched around a Greer three and one by senior Alex Wesby. Temple extended that lead to 58-50 with 6:34 remaining on an offensive rebound and put back by center Ron Rollerson. The home team however made a run of their own. With Temple up, 61-56 with 4:28 left, the Flyers went on a 7-0 run taking back the lead on a three-point basket by Brooks Hall with just 1:42 left. Greer then tied the game at 63-63 on a running jumper with :38 left as Dayton held out for the last shot in regulation. The Flyers scrambled to get off a couple of wild shots but time expired sending the game into overtime.
In overtime, Alex Wesby and Kevin Lyde scored four points each as the Owls took a 71-70 lead with just 1:18 remaining. From there, the Owls defense once again rose to the occasion holding the Flyers scoreless the remainder of the game while Greer drained four consecutive free throws to seal the victory.
Greer led all scorers with 31 points including a perfect nine-for-nine from the foul line while forward Kevin Lyde, who has played with reckless abandon during the Owls current streak, chipped in with his fifth double-double of the season scoring 18 points while hauling down 11 rebounds. Ramod Marshall led the Flyers with 18 points and David Morris added 11.
Up next for the Owls is the season finale with Saint Joseph's at the Palestra on Sunday. The winner will be crowned eastern division champion heading into the Verizon Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament next week.
