Temple University Athletics
OWLS OVERCOME 16-POINT FIRST HALF DEFICIT TO DEFEAT RHODE ISLAND 71-68
1.22.03 | Men's Basketball
Things did not go the Owls way early. Playing before the second largest campus crowd in Rhode Island school history, the Owls faced a double-deficit under five minutes into the game when Lazare Adingono hit a three-pointer to give URI a 12-2 advantage with 15:07 on the clock. The trey was the second of eight first half three-pointers by the Rams, who connected on 61.5 percent (8-13) of its attempts from behind the arc prior to the break. A Dawan Robinson three-pointer with 9:40 remaining in the initial stanza gave the home squad a 28-12 advantage, its largest of the contest.
The Owls, however, began to pull together in the latter stages of the opening half, scoring eight of the final 11 points to enter the locker room facing a 41-32 deficit. Temple shot 35.7 percent (10-28) in the first half while Rhode Island deposited 51.6 percent (16-31) of its attempts.
The Owls opened the second half on a 12-2 run. A David Hawkins jumper with 13:14 remaining gave Temple a 44-43 edge, its first lead of the game. The Rams regained the lead, 45-44, on a pair of Brian Woodward free throws, but it would be the home teams' last advantage of the contest. Maurice Collins answered with a three-pointer at the 12:25 mark to give TU a 47-45 edge and the Owls never looked back. Temple ran its advantage to 11 points on Hawkins jumper that resulted in a 61-50 score with 4:14 showing on the clock.
Rhode Island, playing Temple for the first time in its new arena, would not go away easily, however. A Dawan Robinson layup reduced TU's lead to two (67-65) with 18 seconds remaining. Hawkins stepped to the charity stripe a second later and proceeded to silence the home crowd, converting a pair of free throws to seal the win.
Temple shot 55.6 percent (15-27) after the break to finish the game with a 45.5 percentage (25-55). Rhode Island connected on 37.5 percent (9-24) of its second half attempts to end the night with a 45.5 percentage (25-55) as well.
Hawkins was one of four Owls in double digits, scoring a game-high 18 points. Adingono lead URI with 15 points, courtesy of five first half three pointers.
Temple returns to the hardwood this Saturday at 12 noon versus Dayton at the Liacouras Center. The game will be televised live on Comcast SportsNet.
