Temple University Athletics
MEN'S BASKETBALL SUFFERS THIRD STRAIGHT DEFEAT, FALLING 65-55 TO SAINT JOSEPH'S AT THE LIACOURAS CENTER
1.14.03 | Men's Basketball
With 27 games on the regular season schedule, the Owls would have to go 11-2 over their final 13 contests to enter the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament with a winning record.
Things looked positive for the Owls in a first half that featured four lead changes. Junior guard David Hawkins hit a three-pointer with 12:18 to go before the break to give Temple a 15-14 lead. The Owls held the lead until a Jameer Nelson trey with 6:46 showing on the first half clock knotted the score at 21. Saint Joseph's scored the final five points of the initial stanza to enter the locker room at the midpoint with a 30-27 lead.
The Hawks shot 50 percent (12-24) in the first half, while the Owls deposited 38.5 percent (10-26) of their attempts from the field.
After the break, the Hawks gradually pulled away. A Nelson three-pointer gave SJU a 39-30 lead with 15:30 remaining before another Nelson three-ball with 12:37 showing on the clock gave the visitors a 44-35 advantage. A Delonte West lay-up with 9:35 remaining gave the Hawks a 50-40 lead, their first double-digit buffer of the night. SJU's biggest advantage was 14 points, coming on a Tyrone Bartley lay-up to make the score 54-40 with 7:07 to play.
Nelson, who scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, registered the final points of the evening on a pair of free throws with 0:57 remaining to give Saint Joseph's the 65-55 win.
Senior Alex Wesby led the Owls in the scoring column with 17 points, shooting seven of thirteen from the field. Hawkins and freshman Maurice Collins chipped in with 14 points. Hawkins also posted a season-high eight assists while committing just one turnover.
Temple returns to the hardwood this Saturday, January 18 with a 2:00 p.m. contest against Fordham at the Liacouras Center.
