Temple University Athletics
Men's Baskeball Travels To Buffalo For Holiday Weekend Tilt
11.25.08 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 25, 2008
BUFFALO, NY - Temple makes its first trip to the University at Buffalo in 30 years when the Owls take on the Bulls Saturday, November 29 at 4:00 p.m. (1210 AM WPHT). The Owls have opened the season at 3-1, the program's best start since the 2000-01 team won its first four games. The Bulls, who return all five starters from last season's 10-20 squad, are off to a 2-2 start.
All-America candidate Dionte Christmas continues to lead the Owls as well as the Atlantic 10 Conference in scoring with a 23.8 average. The 6-5 guard, who also ranks second on the team in rebounding (8.8 rpg.), moved seven places to 16th on the Cherry and White all-time scoring list (1,476 points) with his 29-point outburst against Lafayette. The Big 5 co-Player of the Week also moved past David Hawkins (223, 2000-04) and into fifth place on the all-time three-point field goal made list with 226.
Junior guard Ryan Brooks (13.8 ppg,) and sophomore forward Lavoy Allen (11.0 ppg.) also average double-figures with Allen topping the team in rebounding (9.0 rpg.) and blocks (4). Red-shirt freshman Ramone Moore has made an immediate impact for head coach Fran Dunphy's squad, tallying 9.8 points per game off the bench.
Junior guard Rodney Pierce leads 10th-year head coach Reggie Witherspoon's Bull attack with a 19.0 scoring average. Senior swingman Greg Gamble tops the team in assists (13) and steals (6) while scoring 14.7 points per game.
Temple leads the all-time series, 3-1, but Buffalo won the last meeting, 66-64, on November 26, 2006, at the Liacouras Center. The previous meeting prior to that was December 19, 1977, a 95-66 Owl win at McGonigle Hall.
