Temple University Athletics
Owls Start Fast, Never Look Back In 65-40 Win Over Saint Louis
1.22.09 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 22, 2009
PHILADELPHIA - Fast starts haven't been the problem for the Temple men's basketball team this season. It's the lulls that follow, according to head coach Fran Dunphy, that have troubled the Owls. On Thursday night against visiting Saint Louis, the Cherry and White raced to a double-digit lead in the first five minutes and never looked back in handing the Billikens a 65-40 loss at the Liacouras Center.
Sophomore Lavoy Allen made his first eight shots from the field in leading a balanced attack with 16 points, while classmate Craig Williams connected on a trio of three pointers for 11.
"In order to make a run late in the season, we need to be more of an inside-outside team," Allen said. "Craig and I were aggressive tonight in getting our shots up."
Senior Dionte Christmas, who left the game with 13:17 to play after receiving a gash above his left eye on a drive to the basket, finished with eight points. He received seven stitches but will be ready to play on Saturday against Charlotte.
Christmas failed to make a three-pointer for just the second time this season but played a fine all-around game. He tied for the team lead with seven rebounds and led the Owls (10-7, 2-1 A-10) with five assists.
Allen had 10 points in the first nine minutes of play as the hosts opened up a 25-7 lead on SLU (11-7, 2-2). The halftime advantage was 43-16 and the lead extended to as many as 31 in the second stanza.
Freshman Juan Fernandez, who entered the game to shoot free throws following Christmas' injury, scored seven of Temple's final 11 points. He finished with eight points and four assists.
While the offense, especially in the first half, was impressive, the defense turned up the intensity after allowing 79 points in a loss at UMass on Saturday. Temple held Saint Louis to a season-low 40 points on 29.8% shooting from the floor.
It was the best defensive effort, in terms of points allowed, in Dunphy's tenure on North Broad Street and the least since a 69-37 win over Army on Nov. 15, 2005.
Tommie Liddell III led Saint Louis with 12 points. SLU leading scorer Kevin Lisch scoreless on 0-for-10 shooting.
TU has now won five of its last six contests, all since the insertion of Williams into the starting lineup and Fernandez into the rotation. The road does not get any easier with four of the league's top six teams on the slate in the next three weeks.
The Owls remain at home on Saturday when they host Charlotte. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU at 6 PM.
Former Temple head coach John Chaney and team physician Ray Moyer will be inducted into the University's Hall of Fame at halftime of the contest.
