Temple University Athletics
MEN'S BASKETBALL BREEZES TO AN 87-66 WIN AT ST. BONAVENTURE
1.29.05 | Men's Basketball
ST. BONAVENTURE, NY -- Looking to ensure that there would be no repeat of Wednesday's upset at Fordham, Temple stormed out of the gate against St. Bonaventure Saturday night at the Reilly Center, tallying the game's first 12 points en route to an 87-66 win. The Owls scorched the nets, hitting 33 of their 61 shots overall (54.1%) and eight-of-13 from three-point range for a season-best 61.5 percent.
The win improved the Cherry and White to 9-8 overall (5-1 in A-10) and kept them one-half game behind Saint Joseph's (9-8, 6-1) in the Atlantic 10 East Division standings.
"I was extremely happy (with the start)," stated Hall of Fame coach John Chaney. "We always put up on the board establish the floor. And that means to set a tone that you will play together, and work together. We did that tonight."
"I was also pleased with our rebounding and that we only had seven turnovers."
Freshman guard Mark Tyndale, who played just one minute in the first half before picking up two quick fouls, scored 16 of his team-high 18 points in the second half to lead the Owls. Tyndale, who has struggled with his shot all season, made his first six attempts before finishing six-of-eight from the field.
"I think he played very smart," said Chaney on Tyndale. "We have been working on him, trying to get him out of a funk. He was failing, but he was not a failure.
"He is growing as a freshman and he is listening."
Junior forward Antywane Robinson also made six-of-eight from the field and finished with a season-high 14 points. Maligned by his head coach for his effort at times during the season, Robinson attacked the glass, grabbing six rebounds, including two on the offensive end. He was also the Owls' main weapon in the first half, scoring 12 points to lead all scorers at intermission.
"Antywane is the key for our ball club," extolled Chaney. "I think he worked really hard and he rebounded really well considering the minutes."
Mardy Collins and Dustin Salisbery each scored 17 points with Collins leading the Owls with seven rebounds. Salisbery added six boards and tied Collins and freshman Chris Clark for assist honors with three. Clark, who entered the game for Tyndale at the 18:35 mark of the first half, notched season highs in assists and minutes played (22) while also tallying four points.
Robinson and Marshall tallied four points each in the Owls' 12-0 run over the first five minutes. Ahmad Smith, who led all scorers with 23, put the Bonnies on the board with a jumper at the 14:35 mark. SBU would cut the deficit to nine twice, the last coming on another Smith basket with 11:20 on the clock that made the score 17-8. Robinson then buried a three-pointer and Salisbery a lay-up to make it 22-8. The Bonnies never again threatened in the contest.
Temple returns home for the first of three straight home games at the Liacouras Center. The Owls take on Rhode Island Wednesday night (7:00 p.m.) before hosting George Washington in a nationally-televised tilt on Saturday afternoon (2:00 p.m.).
