Temple University Athletics
Men's Basketball Travels To Fordham For Thursday Showdown
1.30.08 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 30, 2008
PHILADELPHIA - Temple looks to get back on the winning track when it travels to the Bronx for a nationally-televised game against Fordham Thursday night (8:00 p.m./CSTV/1210 AM WPHT). The Owls (9-9, 2-2 in Atlantic 10 play) are also looking to end a three-game skid to the Rams (8-9, 2-3), having last defeated their conference rivals in 2005.
Junior guard Dionte Christmas, the reigning A-10 Co-Player of the Week, continues to lead the league in scoring with a 20.8 average. Also the Owls' leading rebounder (6.3 rpg.), Christmas has scored in double figures every game this season, topping the 20-point mark 11 times.
Senior Mark Tyndale joins Christmas as the team's one-two punch. The 6-5 guard ranks second on the Owls in scoring (15.6 ppg.) and rebounding (5.9 rpg.) while leading the squad in assists (61) and steals (30). Junior center Sergio Olmos has been a force of late inside, topping the team with 28 blocks. Freshman Lavoy Allen (7.3 ppg., 5.3 rpg.) has rejected 26 shots with sophomore Ryan Brooks coming off the bench to provide an offensive spark (8.7 ppg.).
Fordham, under the direction of fifth-year coach Dereck Whittenburg, is led by the play of senior Bryant Dunston. The Ram forward leads the Atlantic 10 in rebounding (9.4 rpg.) and his team in scoring (14.9 ppg.). Senior guard Marcus Stout averages 14.8 points per game and is tied with Kevin Anderson for team honors with 52 assists. Brenton Butler also averages double figures (12.0 ppg.) for the Rams who have won their only two home A-10 games.
Despite the three straight losses, Temple has dominated the series, owning a 33-12 advantage. The Owls are 12-7 at Rose Hill Gym.
