Temple University Athletics
Owls Host Red-Hot Dragons Friday Night
12.20.06 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 20, 2006
PHILADELPHIA - Temple has had its way with Drexel in men's basketball since the teams began playing each other in 1901, but when the teams hit the hardwood Friday evening (7:00 p.m.), the Owls will need to be at the top of their game to slay these fire-breathing Dragons. Drexel (7-2), winners of five straight, is fresh off road wins against Villanova (81-76) and #23 Syracuse (84-79).
Sixth-year head coach Bruiser Flint has his team ranked eighth in the latest RPI rankings (RealTimeRPI.com). Junior center Frank Elger leads a balanced scoring attack with a 15.9 average (8.0 rpg.). The senior backcourt tandem of Bashir Mason (13.3 ppg./3.9 apg./3.0 spg.) and Dominick Mejia (10.1 ppg.) also average double figures in scoring. Senior forward Chaz Crawford tops the team in rebounding (8.7 rpg.) and provides a strong defensive presence in the paint with his 3.9 blocks per game ranking sixth nationally.
Fran Dunphy's Owls have won five of their last six games to boost their record to 5-3 on the season. Temple posted consecutive 75-70 road wins over Towson and Ball State. Sophomore guard Dionte Christmas, the reigning Big 5 co-Player of the Week, recorded his seventh straight 20-point game Tuesday when he scored a game-high 23 points. Christmas continues to lead the Atlantic 10 Conference in scoring with a 21.9 average and ranks third in three-pointers made (2.75 pg.), fifth in field goal percentage (.560) and sixth in free throw percentage (.872).
Senior guard Dustin Salisbery leads Temple in assists (26) while ranking second on the team in scoring (16.8 ppg.) and rebounding (6.1 rpg.). Senior forward Dion Dacons (7.0 ppg.) leads the Owls in rebounding (6.9 rpg.) while junior guard Mark Tyndale, who was academically ineligible for the first six games, is averaging 16 points and five rebounds per contest.
Temple leads the all-time series with Drexel, 27-8 and has won 25 of the last 27 meetings, including the last eight. The Dragons last win over the Owls came on March 3, 1982, a 61-55 decision in the East Coast Conference playoffs held at McGonigle Hall.
