Temple University Athletics
Temple University
Richmond
Hot-shooting Richmond Downs #17/19 Temple, 71-54
2.6.10 | Men's Basketball
Spiders hit 77.3 percent in first half to take commanding lead
Boxscore
RICHMOND, VA - Kevin Anderson scored a game-high 29 points to lead Richmond to a 71-54 win over visiting #17/19 Temple Saturday afternoon at the Robins Center. The Owls (19-5, 7-2 A-10), playing without injured sophomore guard Juan Fernandez, were led by junior Lavoy Allen and sophomore Ramone Moore, who each tallied 17 points. Richmond improves to 18-6 and 7-2 in conference play.
Richmond came out on fire to start the game, making four of their first five shots, two coming from Anderson, to take a 9-1 lead. The Owls, without their floor general Fernandez, struggled against the Spiders defense, ranked 26th nationally in points allowed entering the game.
When Temple did get good looks, they simply were not falling as the Owls made just 28.6 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes. Richmond, not known for its offensive prowess, hit a sizzling 77.3 percent (17-22) in the half. The Spiders also made eight of 11 from three-point range (72.7%) against the Owls defense that ranks fifth nationally in the category.
“We did not defend very well,” Temple head coach Fran Dunphy said. “But give Richmond credit, it was great shooting by them.”
That combination allowed Richmond to take a commanding 44-26 lead at the break. It marked the most points allowed by Temple in a first half this season and it was the largest deficit at the break for the Cherry and White.
After Richmond extended the lead to 53-30 with just under 15 minutes to play, Temple awoke and started to climb its way back into the contest.
The Owls did this on the backs of Moore and Allen. Moore opened a 12-0 run converting a three-point play after being fouled on a layup. Allen, who grabbed a career-high 19 rebounds for his fourth straight double-double and eighth of the season, ran off nine straight points to make it 53-42 with 9:21 remaining.
After a Ryan Butler (12 points) jumper ended the run, Moore ran off four straight points to cut the deficit to single digits, 55-46. Moore scored three more points following an Anderson lay-up to make it 57-49, but the Owls would miss two straight shots, the first by Allen inside and then a jumper in the lane by Moore, that would have cut the deficit even further.
Anderson, one of the top free throw shooters in the A-10, drained two free throws and Francis Martell added a jumper to push the margin to 12. Allen, fouled on a three-pointer, made two from the charity stripe to cut it back to 10, but a David Gonzalvez (13 points) trey started a 7-2 run that ended the Owls threat.
Senior guard Ryan Brooks, who played just 28 minutes due to foul problems, struggled with a season-low two points on one-of-eight shooting (0-4 from three).
Richmond's field goal (57.8%) and three-point field goal (56.3%) percentages were the most by an opponent against Temple's nationally-ranked defense.
Fernandez, who has been still been feeling effects from a second half shot to the head suffered at Fordham on Jan. 23, dressed but did not play in the game.
“We need him if we are to play our best basketball,” Dunphy said. “But he was not available, so guys needed to step up.”
The Owls now have a week off before returning to the Liacouras Center floor for a Saturday game against Rhode Island (4:00 p.m./Comcast SportsNet). That is the second half of a men's/women's doubleheader with the Temple women hosting Charlotte (1:00 p.m.). It is also Hooter's Birthday with special promotions and giveaways surrounding the event.
