Temple University Athletics
OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION PROPELS MEN'S BASKETBALL TO 83-65 WIN OVER DUQUESNE
2.18.04 | Men's Basketball
Hawkins' scoring performance was supplemented by sophomore Mardy Collins' career-high 26 points. The Philadelphia native made 11-of-17 attempts from the field and hit pay dirt two-of-four times from behind the arc. Hawkins made eight-of-16 field goal attempts, including five-of-12 three-pointers. The two combined for 53 points, 64 percent of the team's scoring offense.
The Owls, who lead the nation in fewest turnovers, committed a season-low four miscues. Temple also posted season-bests in points, field goal percentage (30-61, 49.2), field goals (30), three-point field goals (12) and assists (17).
Temple jumped out to an early 14-5 lead as the Owls made six of their first eight attempts from the field. Hawkins, who entered the game providing 39 percent of the Owls scoring offense, registered his first digits on a three-pointer with 13:21 showing on the first half clock to give the Cherry & White a 19-12 advantage. The Dukes answered the trey with scores on consecutive trips down the floor to diminish the lead to 19-17. Temple responded with a nine-point run. Included in the run were consecutive three-pointers by Hawkins, including one in which he was fouled in the act before converting from the charity strip to complete a four-point play.
Temple scored the final 10 points of the opening stanza to take a 42-29 lead into the locker room. The Owls shot 55 percent (16-29), including a 6-of-14 showing from behind the arc, while committing just two turnovers. Duquesne made 46 percent (10-22) of its attempts from the floor as each squad grabbed 12 rebounds in the first 20 minutes.
The Owls spent the final 20 minutes in cruise control, as the home squad's advantage never dipped below double-digits. A Tyreek Byard trey extended the Owls' lead to 19 points, 53-34, with 16:42 on the clock. The Dukes reduced the deficit to 13 points with just under 10 minutes to play but the visitors would come no closer. Temple's largest lead, 24 points, occurred on three occasions in the final five minutes.
Bryant McAllister led Duquesne (9-14, 4-8 in A-10 play) in the scoring column with 13 points, while Elijah Palmer contributed 12. The Dukes shot a respectable 44.7 percent (21-47) from the field.
With the victory, the Owls enhanced their record to 145-48 during the month of February in their 22 years under the direction Hall of Fame head coach John Chaney. Temple is also 19-2 in the month over the last three seasons.
Temple, now 12-10 and 6-5 in the Atlantic 10, returns to the hardwood this Saturday, Feb. 21, in a 4:00 p.m. tip-off versus No. 2 Saint Joseph's at the Palestra. The match-up will be televised on Comcast SportsNet. The contest will mark the 135th meeting between the schools with the Owls holding a 77-57 advantage in victories. The Hawks defeated the Owls, 83-71, in this season's prior meeting on Jan. 31 at the Liacouras Center.
Saint Joseph's defeated Fordham, 72-54, Wednesday night in the Bronx, N.Y. to extend its undefeated record to 23-0 (12-0 A-10). The Hawks are one of two remaining undefeated teams (Stanford) in Division I men's basketball.
