Temple University Athletics
MEN'S BASKETBALL DISPOSES OF THE MINUTEMEN TO EARN FOURTH WIN IN LAST FIVE GAMES
2.8.03 | Men's Basketball
Freshman center Keith Butler registered his first career double-double, scoring a season-high 10 points while grabbing 11 rebounds. He was joined in the double-figure scoring column by fellow freshman Maurice Collins and junior David Hawkins, who each deposited 16 points.
Cherry & White fans across the country that set up shop in front of their television sets in anticipation of viewing Saturday's game on ESPN were forced to turn to their radios and internet providers. Due to technical difficulties, only the last few minutes of the contest were broadcast.
The first 10 minutes of the game was tightly contested, as the lead changed hands four times as few fouls were committed. Butler scored six consecutive points in a span of a minute, the last coming on a layup with 9:42 remaining before the break, to give TU an 18-15 lead that it would never relinquish. The Owls would run their lead to nine points on two occasions prior to the midpoint before entering the locker room with a 33-20 buffer.
Temple shot 38.7 percent (12-31) in the first half and concluded the contest depositing just 35.9 percent (23-64) of its attempts from the field. The Minutemen shot 33.3 percent (8-24) before the break and finished the day making 38.3 percent (18-47) of their baskets. The teams combined for only seven first half fouls as only six free throws were attempted prior to the intermission.
Temple opened the second half by scoring six of the first eight points to command a 36-24 lead. The advantage would grow to 14 on a Collins three-pointer with 12:41 remaining and the scoreboard reading 44-30. UMass, however, had some fight remaining. The Minutemen reduced the lead to three points after a pair of Jeff Viggiano free throws registered a 48-45 score with 4:54 on the clock. The Owls responded by going on an eight-to-one run to open up a 56-45 lead with 0:59 seconds remaining to seal the victory. Hawkins made seven of eight from the charity stripe in the final minute to register the 61-50 final.
Temple returns to the hardwood this Thursday, Feb. 13 in an 8:00 p.m. contest vs. city rival Saint Joseph's at The Palestra. The Hawks defeated the Owls 65-55 in the teams' first meeting this season on Jan. 14 at the Liacouras Center.
