Temple University Athletics
Men's Basketball Makes Home Debut Thursday Against Ohio
11.28.07 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 27, 2007
PHILADELPHIA - After opening the season with a record six games away from home, the Temple men's basketball team finally takes the Liacouras Center Floor Thursday night (7:00 p.m./1210 AM WPHT/OwlAccess webcast) for its home opener against Ohio. It is the Owls' third straight game against a Mid-American Conference foe, but their first ever against the Bobcats.
The Owls have posted a 2-4 record over its extended road swing, including a 1-1 mark against MAC competition. Temple defeated Bowling Green, 72-55, last Saturday before falling at Arkon, 67-65. Three of the Cherry and White's four losses havs come by a combined seven points.
Junior Dionte Christmas continues to lead second-year head coach Fran Dunphy's squad with a 19.2 scoring average. He also tops the Owls in assists (15), steals (10) and three-pointers (14). Senior co-captain Mark Tyndale also averages double figures (14.2 ppg.) and ranks second in rebounding (5.2 rpg.) and steals (9). Freshman forward Lavoy Allen (8.5 ppg.) tops the team in rebounding (6.2 rpg.) while junior center Sergio Olmos (5.8 ppg./3.8 rpg.) is the team leader in blocks (12) and field goal percentage (.696).
Ohio (2-1), under the direction of seventh-year head coach Tim O'Shea, dropped its first contest of the season at Holy Cross Monday, 62-60. The Bobcats played that game without the services of junior All-MAC forward Jerome Tillman (20.5 ppg./8.0 rpg.),who was held out due to a precautionary medical condition. Three other Bobcats, Bubba Walther (15.7 ppg.), Leon Williams (15.3 ppg./10.0 rpg.) and Justin Orr (15.3 ppg.), also average double figures.
Temple is an impressive 97-35 overall in the Liacouras Center as the venue opens its 10th season. The Owls host Towson on December 6 before celebrating its 10th Anniversary against city-rival Villanova on ESPNU on December 9. That is the same day Temple opened the arena, then-named The Forum at the Apollo of Temple, with a 76-61 win over #18 Fresno State.
