Temple University Athletics
Temple University
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Kansas
#1/1 Kansas Downs #18/19 Temple, 84-52
1.2.10 | Men's Basketball
Jayhawks used balanced attack and aggressive defense to stymie Owls
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PHILADELPHIA - Freshman guard Xavier Henry scored a game-high 15 points to lead a balanced scoring attack as top-ranked Kansas (13-0) had little trouble defeating #18/19 Temple, 84-52, in front of a national television audience (espn2) and a sellout crowd of 10,206 fans at the Liacouras Center Saturday afternoon. Senior guard Ryan Brooks and sophomore guard Juan Fernandez each scored 11 points to lead the Owls (11-3), who saw their seven-game win streak come to an end.
Temple's had its worst shooting night of the season, making just 16-64 (25%) from the field and five-of-29 (17.2%) from three-point range. The Owls, ranked among the top five in defense in the nation, also had their worst defensive showing, allowing a season-high 84 points. The Jayhawks, who came in averaging 87.8 points per game, also hit 54.5 percent from the field (30-55) and 53.8 percent from long-range, both marks being the best for a TU opponent.
"We didn't play very well and we weren't the smartest team we've ever had together," Temple coach Fran Dunphy said, "but they made shots when they had to and they were relentless on the defensive end. ... They have talent and depth and that's a tough combination."
The Owls hung around early, trailing by just a basket, 19-17, following a Fernandez trey with 8:23 remaining in the half. Junior Lavoy Allen (10 points) missed a three-pointer on TU's next possession that would have given Temple a lead, but then it was all KU.
Sophomore Marcus Morris, one of the Philadephia twins from Prep Charter High, scored nine of his 13 points in the Jayhawks 21-6 run to close out the half to give Kansas a 40-23 lead at intermission.
Kansas picked up right where it started after the break, quickly extending the lead to 22 points (49-27) on a six-point run capped by monster slams from 6-11 junior Cole Aldrich (10 points, 10 rebounds) and Morris.
Junior guard Sherron Collins, a preseason All-America selection, added 14 points.
Kansas dominated Temple inside, scoring half of its points (42) in the paint. The run-and-gun Jayhawks also managed 19 fastbreak points to the Owls three.
The Owls were never able to cut the margin beneath 16 points the remainder of the contest.
Temple opens its Atlantic 10 Conference season Wednesday with a home game against rival Saint Joseph's (7:00 p.m./The Comcast Network).
