Temple University Athletics
50th Anniversary, Beach Bag Giveaway Highlight Saturday Fordham Doubleheader
2.21.08 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 21, 2008
PHILADELPHIA - Temple looks to continue its strong play at the Liacouras Center when it hosts Fordham Saturday in the second game of a women's/men's doubleheader (3:00 p.m./1210 AM WPHT/OwlAccess). At halftime of the game the 1957-58 Temple team that set a still-standing school record 25 win streak en route to the NCAA Final Four will be introduced to the crowd in celebration of its 50th Anniversary. It is also Back to the Beach Day at the game. The first 3,000 fans ages 14 and under receive a Temple Owls Beach Bag, sponsored by Verizon Wireless.
The Owls (14-11, 7-4), who are tied for second in the tight Atlantic 10 standings, own an 8-2 mark in their home arena which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary season. The Rams (10-13, 4-7) have been hot of late, winning two straight before falling at Saint Louis Wednesday in overtime (69-65).
The Owls, under the direction of second-year head coach Fran Dunphy, have been soaring of late as well, winning three of their last four contests and seven of their last 10 games. The team's one-two punch of junior Dionte Christmas (20.2 ppg., 6.4 rpg.) and senior Mark Tyndale (16.4 ppg., 6.4 rpg.) has been getting help recently. In the Cherry and White's last two wins, senior Chris Clark (7.0 ppg.) and sophomore Ryan Brooks (8.4 ppg.) have come off the bench to score in double figures. Junior center Sergio Olmos (4.6 ppg.) and freshman forward Lavoy Allen (8.2 ppg.) have also stepped up offensively as has junior guard Semaj Inge (3.2 ppg.), who matched his career-high with 17 points in a win over Rhode Island.
The Rams, under the direction of sixth-year head coach Dereck Whittenburg, are led by seniors Bryant Dunston (15.5 ppg., 9.9 rpg.) and Marcus Stout (14.9 ppg.). Sophomore Brenton Butler (10.8 ppg.) also averages double figures for the team that was projected to finish fourth in the A-10 preseason coaches' poll.
Temple snapped a three-game losing streak in the series with a hard-fought 58-50 win at Fordham on January 31. The Owls lead the series 34-12 and are 8-1 in games played at the Liacouras Center.
