Temple University Athletics
MEN'S BASKETBALL SEEKS SEVENTH A-10 TITLE SATURDAY EVENING AT DAYTON
3.15.03 | Men's Basketball
Saturday's game is being televised on ESPN. It marks the ninth time this season the Owls will appear on national television and the 25th televised game overall. The Owls are 4-4 in nationally televised games.
Temple is fresh from a 63-57 semifinal win over Xavier (25-5), the tournaments overall No. 1 seed, on Friday evening. The Owls made 14 steals and shot 53.6 percent (15-28) in the second half en route to a 63-57 defeat of the No. 10-ranked Musketeers. The victory improved the Owls record to 13-7 in A-10 Tournament semifinal contests and snapped XU's sixteen-game win streak.
Juniors David Hawkins and Brian Polk were the spark plugs in the hard-fought contest that featured 11 lead changes and three ties. Hawkins hustled his way to 21 points and six steals while playing the entire 40 minutes. Polk, who shot 1-5 in the first half, found his stroke after the break scoring 20 points on 8-13 shooting to finish with a game-high 22 points.
Temple held a 26-5 advantage in points off turnovers and a 26-12 buffer in points scored in the paint. Bench points totaled zero for both clubs, as the game's 10 starters were responsible for all 120 points scored in the contest.
Dayton comes into the game following a 76-63 victory over No. 25-ranked Saint Joseph's, the East's No. 1 seed, Friday night. Four Flyers scored in double digits, led by Ramod Marshall who deposited 15 points. Keith Waleskowski posted a double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
