Temple University Athletics
MEN'S BASKETBALL DEFEATS RHODE ISLAND 61-53 TO SET UP NIT QUARTERFINAL SHOWDOWN WITH MINNESOTA
3.25.03 | Men's Basketball
Temple has won 11 of its last 13 games and has defeated Rhode Island in eight consecutive meetings.
Junior Brian Polk scored a game-high 19 points on seven-of-fourteen shooting, including four three pointers, playing the entire 40 minutes. He was joined in double digits by freshman Mardy Collins, who deposited 12 points playing the entire 40 minutes as well. Leading scorer David Hawkins, who entered the game with a 17.3 points-per-game scoring average, experienced early foul trouble and was held to eight points, his lowest scoring output since posting seven points versus Saint Joseph's on Feb. 13.
Alex Wesby opened the game with a three pointer at 19:31 in a first half that featured four ties and two lead changes. With the score tied at 13, a Chris Holms lay-up gave the hosts a 15-13 lead at 11:45 and started a 13-4 Rhode Island scoring run. The Rams extended their lead to nine points, 29-20, on a Dustin Hellenga slam dunk at 4:17.
Temple, however, ordered a run of its own, scoring the final 10 points of the first half to take the momentum and a 30-29 lead into the locker room.
After the break, a Hellenga three-pointer at 19:47 gave URI a 32-30 edge, its last lead of the game. The Owls responded with an 8-0 run, capped by a Hawkins lay-up at 15:40 to take a 38-32 advantage. The Rams reduced the deficit to three points on a Lazare Adingono trey before the Owls established their first of three, 11-point leads (47-36) on an Antywane Robinson slam dunk at 7:59.
Rhode Island entered the game with a 12-4 record at the Ryan Center and was determined to provide the home crowd with a baker's dozen of victories. The Rams went on a late, 8-1 run and reduced the lead to three points (56-53) on a Brian Woodward three-pointer at 1:40. The comeback effort, however, fell short. Collins drained a pair of free throws at 1:25 to mark the beginning of five consecutive Temple points to end the ball game.
Temple out-rebounded Rhode Island 46-34 while the Rams owned a 13-7 advantage in the assist column. Both teams struggled from the charity strip, as Temple made 60 percent (15-25) of its attempts while Rhode Island converted just 47.6 percent (10-21) of its free throws.
The Owls have a 20-11 all-time record in the National Invitation Tournament.
