Temple University Athletics
TEMPLE ROUTS RHODE ISLAND, 74-45, IN OPENING ROUND OF A-10 TOURNAMENT
3.8.06 | Men's Basketball
CINCINNATI -- Temple scored 22 straight points during an eight-minute second half stretch to snap a three-game losing streak in routing Rhode Island, 74-45, in the opening game of the 2006 Atlantic 10 Tournament Wednesday at U.S. Bank Arena. The 29-point margin of victory tied for the fourth-largest in the tournament's history, and was the most by a Temple team. The ninth-seeded Owls (16-13) will now face top-seed and sixth-ranked George Washington Thursday (noon/Comcast SportsNet/WPHT 1210 AM).
Senior forward Antywane Robinson led the charge for the Cherry and White, scoring 23 points, one shy of his career high. He was joined in double figures by sophomore guard Mark Tyndale (19 points) and junior guard Dustin Salisbery (15 points). Senior guard Mardy Collins tallied just six points, but played a stellar floor game, dishing 10 assists against just two turnovers.
Temple scored the game's first five points and never looked back in avenging its loss to URI which came a week earlier (69-63, March 1) at the Ryan Center. This time the Owls defense shut down the Rams perimeter game, and head coach John Chaney tweaked his offensive approach. The Hall of Fame mentor used Robinson, the team's most reliable three-point threat, in the middle of the lane during most of the first half. The 6-8 Charlotte, NC native responded with 11 points during the opening stanza with all but one of his five baskets coming from inside the arc.
Salisbery, questionable at the start of the contest due to a lingering back injury, scored nine points in the period, connecting on two of four shots. The Owls, however, were not able to break away from the Rams, holding just a 33-26 advantage at the break.
Temple started the second half with an 8-2 run over the first two minutes with Salisbery and Collins draining back to back three-pointers to make it 41-28. A Will Daniels lay-up and a Jimmy Baron trey brought the Rams back to within double figures, 41-33, with 14:24 to play. Then, the roof caved in on URI.
The 22-point run opened at the foul line for the Cherry and White. First Wayne Marshall connected on two free throws. Then the Rams were whistled for consecutive intentional fouls. Baron fouled Tyndale going to the basket and referee Duke Edsall signaled that the sophomore guard had grabbed Tyndale. After Tyndale hit both free throws, Robinson drained one of his four second half three-pointers. The five-point possession made it 48-33.
Tyndale then converted a breakaway lay-up off a Collins feed. Collins then made one of his five steals and fired a long pass to a breaking Salisbery. Daniels committed a hard foul, sending Salisbery to the floor. Edsall again called an intentional foul. Salisbery, who had ice on his right wrist after the game, connected on one free throw. He stayed in and his lay-up with 12:12 on the clock made it a 20-point game (53-33).
Consecutive three-pointers by Robinson followed by consecutive dunks by Tyndale ended the run at 63-33.
Temple posted season-highs for assists (19), three-pointers (13) and blocked shots (9) in winning its seventh game (without a loss) when scoring 70 or more points. The Owls also improved to 12-3 when shooting over 40 percent (27-56, 48.2%) from the field and 13-4 when three or more players reach double figures.
Tyndale led the team's defensive effort, making all five of his team-high steals following intermission.
The Owls recorded 14 steals, tying for seventh-most in A-10 Tournament history, while forcing 19 URI turnovers.
