Temple University Athletics
MEN'S BASKETBALL WALLOPS THE WOLFPACK IN FIRST PART OF LIACOURAS CENTER DOUBLEHEADER
2.15.03 | Men's Basketball
Temple out-rebounded the visitors by a 43-31 margin and contributed to 17 N.C. State turnovers. Senior Alex Wesby registered his second double-double of the season, scoring 10 points while grabbing 11 rebounds. Wesby was one of four Owls in double digits, joined by freshman Maurice Collins, who tallied a game-high 18 points, as well as juniors David Hawkins (16) and Brian Polk (10).
North Carolina State held the lead for approximately 17 of the first half's 20 minutes. A three-pointer by Clifford Crawford at the 15:46 mark of the opening stanza gave the Wolfpack an 8-5 edge. After the Owls tied the game at 12 on a Hawkin's layup, NC. State proceeded to run its advantage to seven points on two occasions, the last coming on a pair of Crawford free throws with 3:27 on the clock and the scoreboard reading 25-18. Temple, however, finished the opening half strong, scoring the final eight points. A Hawley Smith layup with five seconds remaining sent TU to the locker room at the intermission with a 26-25 lead.
Temple continued its streaking ways after the midpoint, scoring the first 11 points of the second half and 16 of the initial 19. In total, the Owls went on a 24-3 run from the 3:27 mark of the first half to the 11:42 mark of the second half. Temple's lead reached 11 points (39-28) on a pair of Polk free throws with 13:24 remaining and never dipped below double digits thereafter. The Owls' advantage twice peaked at 22 points in the final minute, including the 76-54 final registered after a Steve Tulleners fast break layup with :03 seconds on the clock.
Temple shot 37.9 percent (22-58) from the field on the afternoon, taking six more shots than the Wolfpack, who deposited 34.6 percent (18-52) of their attempts. Julius Hodge was the only N.C. State player in double figures, scoring 16 points.
Temple returns to the hardwood this Wednesday (Feb. 19), when it hosts Atlantic 10 East rival Rhode Island at the Liacouras Center at 7:00 p.m.
