Temple University Athletics
Temple University
3-2
Bowling Green
4-2
Bowling Green Nips Temple, 67-64
11.27.11 | Men's Basketball
Injury-depleted Owls fall in closely-contested game
Fran Dunphy Media Conference | Boxscore (PDF)
BOWLING GREEN, OHIO - Bowling Green scored seven of the final eight points to defeat Temple, 67-64, Sunday afternoon in its brand-new Stroh Center. The Owls (3-2), playing without injured forward Micheal Eric, were led by junior guard Khalif Wyatt's game-high 19 points. The Falcons improved to 4-2 on the season.
Neither team was able to gain separation throughout as the game featured 15 lead changes and was tied 13 times. The largest margin by both teams was six points with Bowling Green using a 6-0 spurt to take a 54-48 advantage with just over eight minutes to play.
Senior guard Ramone Moore, who entered play averaging 20 points per game, drained a big three-pointer to stop the Falcons run. It would, however, be the last points he would score as he was held to 10 points on three-of-10 shooting.
Redshirt freshman forward Anthony Lee, making his first career start, then made a strong slam on an assist by redshirt junior guard T.J. DiLeo. Lee was a bright spot for the Owls, setting new career highs in points (11), rebounds (9) and minutes played (30) as he took Eric's spot on the floor. Eric reinjured his right patella at practice Friday and did not make the trip. His status is uncertain for the Owls' home opener.
Following two BGSU free throws that extended the Falcons' lead to 56-53, Wyatt took over. First he scored eight of Temple's next 10 points to give the Owls a 63-60 advantage with 2:50 on the clock.
After both teams traded misses in the lane, Scott Thomas (11 points) made two free throws to cut the lead to one. He then blocked Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson's shot under the basket with just under a minute to play,
BGSU's Jordan Crawford drained a long three-pointer as the shot clock was winding down to give the hosts a 65-63 lead with 30 seconds left.
DiLeo was then fouled, but was able to make only one of two free throws. The Falcons then broke through the Owls full-court press for an easy dunk by A'uston Calhoun (16 points).
After a Temple timeout, Moore was blocked on a three-point attempt and DiLeo's rebound and three-pointer missed the mark, giving the Falcons the win.
Bowling Green shot 55.8 percent from the field for the game, including 57.3 percent (14-24) in the second half. Temple, which led 36-33 at the break, connected on only 40 percent (10-25) following intermission.
The Owls next host Central Michigan Saturday (4:00 p.m./1210 AM WPHT/OwlAccess). The game is part of a doubleheader as the Temple women play Auburn at 1:00 p.m.
