Temple University Athletics
MEN'S BASKETBALL TAKES ON FORDHAM IN FIRST OF CRITICAL THREE-GAME ROAD TRIP
2.3.04 | Men's Basketball
The Rams, under first year coach Dereck Whittenberg, own a 4-13 overall mark and are on a four-game losing streak. But in the crazy race that is the Atlantic 10 East Division, Fordham is just one game behind second place UMass (3-5 in league play) for the all-important first-round bye in the A-10 Tournament.
Senior forward Michael Haynes leads the Rams with a 15.8 scoring average while ranking second on the team in rebounding (7.1 rpg.) to sophomore Mushon Ya'akoski (7.4 rpg.) The two frontcourt players will be trying to post the program's first conference win over Temple, and end the Rams' 17-game conference losing streak in the series.
Senior All-America candidate David Hawkins continues to lead the Owls (7-10, 2-5), and now the conference, in scoring with a 23.9 average. The 6-5 guard tied his career high with 36 points in a loss to #3 Saint Joseph's on Saturday, earning his first-ever A-10 Player of the Week honor for his efforts. Sophomore guard Mardy Collins also had a solid game against the Hawks, tallying 21 points and dishing three assists in the team's 83-71 loss.
The Owls begin a three-game road trip, their last outside Philadelphia before the A-10 Tournament, with the Fordham game. Up next is St. Bonaventure (2/7) and then Rhode Island (2/11).
