Temple University Athletics
RICHMOND DOWNS TEMPLE, 64-49, IN A-10 QUARTERFINAL ROUND
3.12.04 | Men's Basketball
The Spiders connected on 11 three-pointers on the night with senior Mike Skrocki, a second team all-conference performer, and sophomore forward Jermaine Bucknor combining for seven in the first half alone. Skrocki, who finished with a team-high 18 points, hit on four-of-seven attempts while Bucknor, who tallied a career-high 17 points, was five-of-five overall from the field, three-of-three from long-range.
The Richmond duo helped the Spiders to a 31-25 advantage at intermission. It would have been a nine-point margin, but Mardy Collins stole the ball in the final minute of the period and then drained a three-pointer as the buzzer sounded.
The Spider defense really put the clamps on the Owls' offense in the second period, limiting Temple to eight-of-28 from the field (28.6%) and an even more stifling two-of-12 from three-point range (16.7%).
Trailing 39-34 with 13:16 to play, Temple went on one of its coldest stretches of the season, missing 12 consecutive shots over an eight-and-a-half minute stretch. When David Hawkins finally made a tough lay-up with 4:35 to play, Richmond held a 55-37 lead and the game was for all intents and purposes over.
The Owls would cut the deficit to 13 points as Hawkins converted three free throws with 1:40 to play to make the score 59-46. Chaney, however, conceded at that point, choosing wisely to lift Hawkins to an ovation from the crowd in favor of walk-on Robert Allen.
Hawkins finished with 20 points. It marked the 23rd time he tallied 20-or-more points in a game this season and the 23rd time he has led the game in scoring, both conference highs.
Collins was the only other Temple player that tallied double figures, scoring 11 points.
The Owl duo combined to shoot 11-of-34 from the field and just 3-of-16 from behind the arc.
Besides Skrocki and Bucknor, senior guard Reggie Brown tallied 11 points, including three 3-pointers, all in the second half for Richmond.
Temple will have to wait until Sunday for a likely NIT bid which would extend Chaney's streak to 21 straight postseason tournaments.
