Temple University Athletics
Temple Welcomes A-10 Leader UMass Sunday
2.9.07 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 9, 2007
PHILADELPHIA - Temple will put its three-game win streak to the test when the Owls host the top team in the Atlantic 10 Conference, the University of Massachusetts Minutemen, Sunday (2:00 p.m./WPHT 1210 AM). The Owls (10-12, 4-5 in A-10 play) are looking to win four straight games for the first time since February 2004 while the Minutemen (17-6, 7-2) are also looking to extend their win streak to four games. UMass won the first meeting, 88-77, in Amherst on Jan. 13.
Junior Mark Tyndale has been the main reason for the team's resurgence. The 6-5 guard has posted three straight double-doubles and is averaging 21.7 points, 12.0 rebounds and four assists per game during the current win streak. He ranks second on the team overall in scoring (17.2 ppg.) and fourth in the conference.
Sophomore Dionte Christmas continues to thrive in first-year head coach Fran Dunphy's offense. The 6-4 guard leads the A-10 in scoring (21.6 ppg.) and ranks second in three-pointers made (3.05 pg.), fourth in field goal percentage (.512) and free throw percentage (.891) and fifth in three-point percentage (.444). Senior Dustin Salisbery, who strained a neck muscle in the St. Bonaventure win, ranks seventh in the conference in scoring (16.7 ppg.) while senior forward Dion Dacons (7.5 ppg.) ranks ninth in the league in rebounding (7.3 rpg.).
Second-year UMass head coach Travis Ford has arguably the top two front court players in the A-10 in seniors Rashaun Freeman and Stephane Lasme. Freeman, a 6-9 center, leads the Minutemen in scoring (16.7 ppg./8.4 rpg.) while Lasme (13.1 ppg.), a 6-8 power forward, tops the conference in rebounding (9.8) and ranks second in the nation in blocks per game (5.2 bpg.).
Sunday is also Hooter the Owl's Birthday and the loveable Temple mascot will be joined by the Phillie Phanatic and numerous mascots from around the city. Also the first 2,000 kids 14 and under to enter the Liacouras Center will receive a replica Temple jersey.
