Temple University Athletics
RED-HOT SALISBERY LEADS TEMPLE TO WIN OVER DAYTON
2.9.05 | Men's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA -- A week ago Dustin Salisbery missed Temple's win over Rhode Island due to a 104-degree fever. Tonight, the 6-5 sophomore was even hotter, torching the visiting Dayton Flyers for a career-high 27 points in lifting the Owls to a 78-70 win at the Liacouras Center. Temple improved to 11-9 overall and 7-2 in the Atlantic 10 Conference while Dayton fell to 13-8 and 6-4.
"I felt a lot better just warming up," said Salisbery, who still is not completely over the flu. "Last week I had somewhat of a fever I may have had a temperature today but my chest is still hurting from coughing."
If Salisbery was sick, his game made Dayton head coach Brian Gregory ill. After making just one of nine attempts in the Owls' loss to George Washington on Saturday, Salisbery hit his first seven attempts from the field and nine-of-11 on the night.
"He should stay sick if he shoots that well," said Temple coach John Chaney.
Salisbery triggered the Temple offense that scored the first nine points of the contest, and took a 21-4 advantage at the 12:24 mark of the first half. The Lancaster, PA native tallied 10 points in the run, including two deep three-pointers.
Junior Antywane Robinson, who also was recovering from the flu, scored nine of his season-high 15 points in the Owls' torrid start.; His alley-oop slam dunk from a 30-foot Mardy Collins pass capped the Cherry and White's 9-0 start. Robinson was fouled on the play, and hit the first of seven straight free throws in the contest. In all, the Owls marched to the foul line a season-high 40 times, connecting on 31 of their attempts.
"When we come out and set the tempo like that it is hard to beat us," explained Salisbery. "It is hard to come back when we are playing tough defense."
For 32 minutes the Owls looked invincible, building a lead that reached 26 points (63-37) with just under 11 minutes to play. Then they got sloppy, which fired up their Hall of Fame coach.
Leading 67-43 with 7:55 to play, Dayton, playing mainly reserves, outscored the Temple starters, 27-11. The Flyers hit seven of their 13 three-pointers in that stretch run, but were still unable to cut the margin under double figures until Chris Alvarez drained a three with one second to play.
Freshman Trent Meacham led the Flyers with a season-high 17 points and six assists. Another freshman, Brian Roberts, added 14 points as did junior Marques Bennett. The three reserves hit 10-of-18 from long range to help make the game respectable.
Besides Salisbery and Robinson, Mark Tyndale added 15 points while playing all 40 minutes and Wayne Marshall added 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
Collins, who was slowed with the flu, hit just two-of-11 shots, scoring under double figures (7 points) for just the second time all season. He did grab seven rebounds, dished two assists and did not commit a turnover while playing 40 minutes.
Next up for Temple is the much-anticipated showdown with the Saint Joseph's Hawks (11-9, 8-1) at The Palestra Saturday afternoon (noon). A win will bring the Owls within a half game of the East Division leaders.
