Temple University Athletics
Temple University
La Salle
#15/15 Men's Basketball Downs La Salle, 64-52
1.30.10 | Men's Basketball
Ramone Moore leads the way with game-high 14 points
box score | Gallery
PHILADELPHIA - Sophomore guard Ramone Moore led all scorers with 14 points off the bench to lead Temple to a 64-52 win over city-rival La Salle in a nationally-televised Atlantic 10 Conference game in front of 8,501 fans at the Liacouras Center. Even though it was not an official Big 5 game, it had a city-series feel to it as the team's former head coaches John Chaney and Speedy Morris were recognized at halftime for their induction Friday into the Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fame.
Temple, which has won 14 of its last 16 games, improves to 18-4 over and 6-1 in A-10 play. La Salle falls to 11-10, 3-4 in the conference.
With their top two scorers, Ryan Brooks and Juan Fernandez struggling from the field (6-21, 1-10 from 3pt range), the Owls went to Moore and sophomore forward Micheal Eric for offense. Eric, who has been contributing more of late, hit six-of-nine shots from the field to tie his career high with 13 points. Moore, who hit seven-of-11 from the field, posted his fourth double-figure scoring game of the season, but the first since a career-high 17-point effort against Bowling Green on Dec. 28.
Freshman Rahlir Jefferson also chipped in off the bench with a career-high-tying nine points. Jefferson, who did not play for the first time all season at Charlotte in the team's last game, made all four of his shots and grabbed three rebound over 16 minutes.
Brooks, who did score 10 points, teamed with fellow senior co-captain Luis Guzman (8 rebounds, 5 assists) to hold explosive La Salle guard Rodney Green to 13 points on five-of-16 shooting.
The Owls defense also held the Explorers to their lowest point total and field goal percentage (17-57, .298) of the season. It was also the third time Temple has held an opponent to under 30 percent from the field.
Temple, on the other hand, struggled from the perimeter. The Owls, who entered play as the A-10's third best three-point shooting team, made only one three-pointer on 14 attempts.
So head coach Fran Dunphy relied on his inside play, which involved Moore and Jefferson driving to the lane and feeding the post. Besides Eric, junior Lavoy Allen posted his seventh double-double of the season, 12 points and 10 rebounds. He also dished five assists and made two blocks while playing solid defense on one of the A-10's top freshman, Aaric Murray (11 points, 4-13 FG).
Following a first half battle that featured five ties and four lead changes, the Owls took a 30-24 lead into intermission.
Temple scored the first eight points - four by Eric - after the break to take a commanding 38-24 advantage. Murray (5 points) them led a 10-2 La Salle run to tighten the game, 40-34.
The teams battled back and forth until the Owls went on an 11-2 run, keyed by Jefferson (5 pts) and Moore (4 pts) to break the game open, 61-44, with 4:33 to play. Temple then closed out the game with its imposing defense and guard play.
The Owls next host Duquesne on Wednesday night (7:00 p.m./OwlAccess), in a rematch of last year's A-10 championship game.
NOTES: Temple recognized its legendary coach John Chaney as well as former La Salle coach Speedy Morris and former Villanova coach Rollie Massimino for their induction into the Big 5 Hall of Fame. Chaney and Morris were in attendance while Massimino was in Florida with his #14-ranked Northwood team that had a game Saturday night.
