Temple University Athletics
Temple University
Saint Joseph's
Men's Basketball Downs Saint Joseph's, 72-54
1.29.11 | Men's Basketball
Randall, Allen lead the way for the Owls
box score
PHILADELPHIA - Scootie Randall led a balanced attack with 17 points and Lavoy Allen contributed his second straight double-double to lead Temple to a 72-54 win over host Saint Joseph's in an Atlantic 10 Conference battle at The Palestra Saturday. The Owls, who posted their eighth straight win over their city-rival, improve to 15-5 overall and 5-2 in conference play. The Hawks fell to 5-16 and 0-7.
Temple led from the opening tip and used a 12-0 spurt midway through the first half to build a commanding 23-10 lead with just under eight minutes to play in the first half. Ramone Moore, who dished a career-high eight assists against zero turnovers, scored five of his 10 points in the run and dished an assist to Randall for one of his three treys.
St. Joe's, which has lost eight straight, never cut the margin under double figures the remainder of the contest.
"I thought we were pretty focused today," Temple coach Fran Dunphy said. "I think you're always worried about what early in the morning might bring, but I thought our guys were attentive this morning at breakfast, and I thought they had their focus on today, and I was proud of what they accomplished because I thought we played well. It's a good win for us. Again, when you play well, it makes you feel good."
Allen looked his old self for the second straight outing. The 6-9 senior forward tallied 15 points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. He made seven of his 10 field goal attempts while also dishing four assists and rejecting two shots.
"I think he added a couple of things today," Dunphy said of Allen's play. "He had a couple of great finishes inside. He stepped away from the basket along the baseline and made two jumpers in the second half that I think are critical to his overall offensive game. He was in rhythm and looked like a confident kid today."
Randall, who has improved his scoring average to 10.5 points per game, made six of his nine field goal attempts while also grabbing seven rebounds.
Temple dominated the glass, out-rebounding SJU, 38-23. The Owls also held the Hawks to 37.5 percent shooting, including 25 percent (3-12) from three-point range.
SJU's Carl Jones led all scorers with 19 points while Ronald Roberts, one of five freshmen to play more than 20 minutes, added 17 points for SJU.
The Owls played their second straight game without starting point guard Juan Fernandez, who sat out due to a bruised bone on his left knee. His status is uncertain for Wednesday's game at La Salle (7:00 p.m.).
