Temple University Athletics
MEN'S BASKETBALL POSTS FIRST A-10 WIN, 58-53, OVER URI
1.14.04 | Men's Basketball
Hawkins, who entered the game ranked ninth nationally in scoring with a 22.9 points-per-game average, led Temple (5-7, 1-2) in scoring for the 10th time in 12 games, posting a game-high 24 points. The Washington, D.C. native proved especially valuable in the first half, depositing 14 of the home squad's 29 digits on six-of-nine shooting. The rest of the Temple lineup made just six-of-25 attempts prior to the break.
Temple controlled the game for its better portion, as Rhode Island (12-5, 1-2) struggled against John Chaney's match-up zone, while the Owls, especially Hawkins, found measurable success against URI's man-to-man defense. Rhode Island coach Jim Baron switched to a zone defense that his team used briefly in the first half, however, approximately five minutes into the second half and the Rams experienced a surge. Trailing 43-36 after a Keith Butler lay-up with 7:25 remaining in the game, the visitors went on a 12-5 run to tie the game at 48 after a Dustin Hellenga three-pointer.
Temple, which saw its lead grow as large as 11 points in the second half, answered the challenge. Hawkins hit a trey before depositing a pair of free throws to give the home squad a 53-48 edge with 0:44 seconds remaining. URI guard Dawan Robinson missed three of four free throws down the stretch as the Owls increased their lead to 58-50 before Steve Mello hit a three-pointer in the final seconds to register the 58-53 conclusion.
The game started off in sluggish fashion, as Temple made two of its first six field goal attempts while Rhode Island was whistled for three early traveling violations. Things began to settle down for the Owls after the first media timeout, however. Back-to-back David Hawkins' three-pointers gave the home squad a 13-8 advantage with 13:18 on the clock as URI struggled with its ball handling on the offensive end.
Temple entered the locker room at the midpoint with a 29-22 advantage as Rhode Island committed 11 first half turnovers. The Owls' largest lead prior to intermission was eight points, occurring twice with under 5:00 minutes on the clock.
Both teams shot poorly on the evening. Temple deposited 32.8 percent (19-58) of its field goal attempts while Rhode Island made 35.2 percent (19-54) of its shots. Temple's frustration at the charity stripe continued, as the Owls converted just 13-of-29 attempts from the foul line, including a 0-6 effort in the first half.
Hawkins and sophomore guard Mardy Collins spent the entire 40 minutes on the hardwood. Collins entered the game ranked third nationally in minutes played, averaging 39.0 minutes per contest.
Temple returns to the hardwood this Saturday, Jan. 17, in a 7:30 p.m. tip-off versus Richmond at the Liacouras Center. The game will be televised on CN8. The contest will mark the eighth meeting between the schools with the Owls holding a 4-3 advantage in victories. Temple defeated the Spiders, 66-52, in the quarterfinal game of the 2004 A-10 Tournament, played in Dayton, Ohio, in the last meeting.
