Temple University Athletics
Williams, Fernandez Highlight 73-58 Win Over Kent State
1.5.09 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 5, 2009
PHILADELPHIA - One player was a reserve forward who had played 25 minutes in his entire two-year career, who earned his first collegiate start by out-working his front court teammates. The other was a talented point guard from Argentina making his much-anticipated debut in front of the home crowd. The Temple fans at the Liacouras Center got their first extended look at sophomore Craig Williams and freshman Juan Fernandez and it was a good one, as the duo helped the Owls snap a three-game losing skid by beating Kent State, 73-58, on Monday night.
Williams came into the game with eight points to his name during his TU career. He matched that in the first 2:33, connecting on a pair of three-pointers and a long jumper. His career night continued, as the St. Croix native demolished his career-high with 16 points on 5-for-9 shooting from the floor.
"I've always been working toward starting," Williams said. "I just didn't expect it at this point in my career."
The 6-9 power forward showed a deft touch from long range and made his first start a memorable one. It wasn't a surprise to Dunphy, who inserted Williams into the starting lineup after the sophomore deemed worthy by working harder than his teammates.
"Craig has worked pretty hard over the past few weeks and he has the ability to make those shots," head coach Fran Dunphy said.
Fernandez, who has been compared to former Owl Pepe Sanchez at length, made his debut at the 14:21 mark of the first half. He sparked the Cherry and White (6-6) to an 8-0 run, assisting on a Williams layup and draining a three from the left wing for his first points.
"Juan made two big threes for us," Dunphy said. "Overall, I thought he was pretty good."
His scored eight points and dished four assists in his 21 minutes of work. But more importantly, he ran the Temple offense like a seasoned pro, not like an 18-year old who has been in the country for only 11 days.
"I think the point guard is the player who has to bring what the coach wants on the court," Fernandez said. "That's what I want to do."
Meanwhile, senior All-America candidate Dionte Christmas scored his game-high 26 points with little fan fare. He shot 9-for-18 from the floor, scoring in bunches in the second half. The Philadelphia native had a pair of seven-point spurts, the first coming in a little over a minute midway through the second half that helped the Owls keep Kent State at bay.
After the Golden Flashes (7-7) cut the lead to 52-45 on consecutive Tyree Evans threes, Fernandez nailed the biggest shot of his very young career, swishing a triple from the right wing to extend the lead to 10. Christmas scored the next seven points, on a three and two drives and just like that, the lead was back to a comfortable 15 points. He would help bolster the cushion in the final four minutes and aid his Atlantic 10 leading scoring average.
Sophomore Lavoy Allen grabbed a game-high 10 boards and chipped in with seven points. He also had three of the Owls' nine blocks.
Kent State, who was coming off a 28-win season and NCAA appearance a year-ago, looked fatigued in the second half and had no answer for Williams or Christmas. Both players had their fair share of open looks and were the only Owls in double-figures.
Evans led KSU with 17 points, while Pennsauken, NJ native Al Fisher added 13 and six assists.
Temple will finish its Mid-American Conference portion of the schedule on Wednesday with a trip to Eastern Michigan. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM and the game will be broadcasted by WPHT 1210 AM.
