Temple University Athletics
Temple To Host George Washington Sunday In Men's Basketball Showdown
2.1.08 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 1, 2008
PHILADELPHIA - Temple will look for a Super Sunday when it hosts Atlantic 10 Conference rival George Washington at the Liacouras Center. The Owls, fresh off a 58-50 road win at Fordham (1/31), are in search of their fifth win in six games while the Colonials are seeking to snap a five-game skid. The game will also feature a celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the 1987-88 Temple team that finished the season 32-2, ranked #1 in the final Associated Press regular season poll.
The Owls, under the direction of second-year head coach Fran Dunphy, moved into sole possession of fifth place in the tight A-10 standings with their win Wednesday. Senior co-captain Chris Clark, who is averaging 7.8 points per game in A-10 play, led the Cherry and White with a career-high 16 points versus the Rams. Junior Dionte Christmas, who had his 39-game streak of making at least one three-pointer snapped at Fordham, continues to lead the A-10 in scoring with a 20.4 average. Senior co-captain Mark Tyndale, who recorded his third double-double of the season in the Fordham win, ranks second on the team and 11th in the A-10 with a 15.5 scoring average.
George Washington, under the direction of seventh-year head coach Karl Hobbs, is led by junior forward Rob Diggs (12.7 ppg., 8.1 rpg.). Local product Maureece Rice, a senior guard out of Lutheran High, averages 11.1 points per game and has made a team-high 25 three-pointers. Virginia Tech transfer Wynton Witherspoon, a junior wing, also tops double figures in scoring with a 12.5 average.
Temple leads the all-time series, 46-16, but GW five of the last six encounters, including a 84-72 decision at the Smith Center last season.
