Temple University Athletics
MEN'S BASKETBALL HITS THE RHODE ISLAND FOR NIT SECOND ROUND MATCH-UP
3.24.03 | Men's Basketball
The winner of Tuesday's game will play the victor of Monday's Hawaii at Minnesota contest in the third round at a date and site to be determined. The NIT semifinals are scheduled to take place Tuesday, April 1 at Madison Square Garden with the championship and consolation games set for Thursday, April 3.
Temple, after beginning the season with 0-5 and 3-11 records, has won 10 of its last 12 games. The Owls are the only men's basketball team in Philadelphia still scheduled to hit the hardwood after both Saint Joseph's and Pennsylvania lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Owls and Rams are meeting for the 56th time in a series that dates back to 1941, with Temple holding a 44-11 advantage having won both games this season and seven straight overall.
Temple is coming off a 75-62 victory over Boston College in an NIT first round game at the Palestra last Friday. David Hawkins, a member of the 2002 NIT All-Tournament Team, scored a career-high 36 points while playing the entire 40 minutes for the fifth straight game and for the seventh time in the last eight contests.
Rhode Island is coming off a 61-60 win over Seton Hall at home last Wednesday. Dawan Robinson hit a three-pointer with 4.1 seconds remaining to secure the come-from-behind victory. The Rams out-scored the Pirates 38-23 in the second half.
The Owls have an 19-11 all-time record in the NIT. Temple placed third in the NIT last season, defeating Syracuse 65-54 in the consolation game after losing to eventual champion Memphis 78-77 in the semifinal. The Owls have won two NIT titles, in 1938 and 1969. Current radio color analyst and Temple Hall of Famer John Baum was captain of the 1969 squad under coach Harry Litwack that defeated Boston College 89-76 in the championship game at MSG.
