Temple University Athletics
Temple University
Ball State
Unselfish Play Leads Temple to 66-46 Win Over Ball State
11.24.09 | Men's Basketball
Three Owls set career assist highs in the win
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PHILADELPHIA - Temple utilized an unselfish offensive attack that saw three players record career highs in assists as the Owls (3-1) defeated the previously unbeaten Ball State Cardinals (2-1), 66-46, Tuesday night at the Liacouras Center.
Senior guard Ryan Brooks led four Temple double-figure scorers with a game-high 17 points while more than doubling his previous assist high with seven in the game. Junior forward Lavoy Allen added 16 points while matching Brooks with a new career-high seven assists.
Sophomore guard Juan Fernandez, who injured his left thumb in Monday's practice and was questionable for the game, made five of his six shots for 13 points, while equalling his assist high with five.
"Tonight, when we're assisting on that many field goals [23 assists on 27 field goals], I'm guessing we're making good cuts, I'm guessing we're seeing our teammates pretty well, also. Those are the things a coach likes to see," Temple coach Fran Dunphy said.
Junior forward Craig Williams added 10 points off the bench for the Owls.
Freshman Jauwan Sciafe was the only Cardinal to reach double figures in points with 10 in the contest. Sophomore forward/center Jarrod Jones, who came into the game with a 19.0 scoring average, was held to nine points.
The Owls, who dished 23 assists on 27 baskets, broke away from the Cardinals by virtue of an 11-2 run midway through the first half to take its first double-digit lead, 25-14, of the game with just over five minutes remaining in the first half.
True to form for the contest, all five baskets in the run were scored by different players.
Ball State cut it to nine three times before halftime, and a buzzer beater by Brawley Chisholm, made it a 10-point lead, 32-22, for Temple at the break.
The Owls broke away for good early in the second half, utilizing a 12-2 run to take a commanding 54-34 lead with just under nine minutes to play. Four players accounted for the five baskets in the run, which was jump-started by a Williams trey that turned into a five-point possession as Allen was fouled underneath the basket. Brooks was then fouled on a backdoor layup. He missed the three-point attempt, one of the few things the TU co-captain did wrong on the night.
Temple never let the margin slip below 18 the remainder of the contest.
The Owls now take two days off for the holidays before taking The Palestra floor Friday evening (8:00 p.m./The Comcast Network/1210 AM WPHT) against Virginia Tech in the Philly Hoop Group Classic. The Owls will conclude that four-game tourney Saturday at 8:30 p.m.(1210AM WPHT) against St, John's.
