Temple University Athletics
Temple Tackles Top-Seeded #19/19 Xavier Tonite At 6:30 p.m.
3.13.09 | Men's Basketball
March 13, 2009
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - Temple (20-11) advanced to the Atlantic 10 Conference semifinals for the 24th time in its 27 years in the league with a 69-55 win over Saint Joseph's Friday and will take on #19/19 Xavier, a 66-47 winner over Saint Louis in its quarterfinal game, Friday at 6:30 p.m. (Comcast Network/1210 AM;WPHT).
The Owls, who lost at Xavier 83-74 on Feb. 5, have faced the Musketeers four times in A-10 Championship play, winning each encounter. The teams last met in 2003 with the Owls upsetting the #10 Musketeers, 63-57, on March 14 at UD Arena in a semifinal contest.
Temple has had more success in Atlantic 10 Championship play than any other conference member. The Owls have won more games (46), played in more semifinal games (23) and championship games (14) than any league member past or present. Temple has also won a record seven Atlantic 10 Championships (2008, 2001, 2000, 1990, 1988, 1987 and 1985). Only three times, in 2002, 2004 and 2007, has Temple failed to win at least one game in the A-10 Championship.
Temple is a 14-9 in semifinal games of the A-10 Championship, defeating Xavier twice in the round (2003, 1999).
