Temple University Athletics
CHANEY WINS 500TH GAME AT TEMPLE AS OWLS BEAT ARMY, 69-37, IN NIT SEASON TIP-OFF
11.15.05 | Men's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA -- With the game in hand and under a minute remaining in Tuesday's NIT Season Tip-off against Army, the jam-packed Temple student section saluted its Hall of Fame head coach John Chaney in unison by holding up signs commemorating his 500th victory at the University. But in reality, the game was decided soon after the teams hit the court. The Owls coasted to a 69-37 season-opening win over the visiting Black Knights and rewarded Chaney with yet another milestone in his illustrious career.
"For me, it's just a lot of memories," Chaney said. "Looking at someone like Mark Macon, who helped get me started here many years ago, it makes you get a little melancholy when you see people who are still around working with you. That perhaps, is more important than anything else."
The 73-year old, who owns a 725-297 overall record over 34 years of coaching, is the only Division I coach in Philadelphia's storied college basketball history to record 500 victories at one school. Herb Magee, at Philadelphia University (formerly Philadelphia Textile), owns 793 wins at the school.
Chaney also passed former DePaul coach Ray Meyer and is now alone in 14th place all-time with 725 career wins. Next up is Missouri's Norm Stewart with 728 total victories.
"I know Ray and never thought about passing him," Chaney said. "I don't think you give it too much thought. When you start thinking about reaching those milestones, you fail the kids. That should be your most important concern, the kids you are working with."
Chaney's first win for the Cherry and White was a 68-67 nail-biter at George Washington on November 30, 1982. This one came much easier. The Owls (1-0) befuddled Army (0-1) on offense with their signature match-up zone and used their athleticism to force 21 turnovers.
The Black Knights were content to fire away from three-point land, shooting more than half of their field goals from long range. But the visitors connected on only 3-of-23 shots (13%) from behind the arc. Army's 37 points were the fewest scored against Temple since an 81-37 win over Duquense on January 29, 2000.
"Certainly their defense made it difficult for us," Army coach Jim Crews said. "And we got in trouble defensively, letting them get the ball too close to the basket."
Both teams got off to a slow start offensively and the scoreboard read 3-2 going into the first media timeout. Leading 18-8 with 7:26 to play before the half, Temple hit seven of its next eight shots over the next six minutes to open up a 38-12 lead. Senior Mardy Collins, who led all scorers with 18 points, had 10 points during the run.
The Owls extended their lead to 28 points on two free throws by freshman Dionte Christmas to take a 44-16 lead with 15:20 to play. Unlike last year's season opener, when the Owls saw Auburn come back from an early first half deficit, Temple did not let up. TU did not allow Army any closer than 22 points the rest of the way and coasted to its first season-opening win since beating Delaware, 56-49, on November 13, 2000.
For the most part, the Cherry and White went with a four-guard offense and a mix of several big men. Freshman Anthony Ivory started the game and played the first four minutes of both halves. He finished with two points and two rebounds. Classmate Sergio Olmos and junior Dion Dacons also saw time as the lone big man for the Owls.
"Dion gives us a much better mental presence inside," Chaney said. "Many times it's not so much the scoring, but the guys setting the screens and rebounding for us."
Sophomore Mark Tyndale played most of the game at the point, allowing Collins to run off screens. Both players benefited as Tyndale shot 4-for-5 for 13 points and Collins was able to create from the wing. Junior Dustin Salisbery also tallied 13 for the home team.
"Mardy did a good job running the team, as did Mark," Chaney said.
The Owls committed just four turnovers and scored 22 points off Army's 21 miscues. Matt Bell, a second team all-Patriot League player in 2004-05, paced the Black Knights with 12 points.
Temple now travels to #18 UCLA, an 83-70 winner over New Mexico State, on Thursday, November 17 in the second round of the NIT Season Tip-off. Game time is set for 11 p.m EST and will be televised on ESPNU.
