Temple University Athletics
Temple University
13-5
Maryland
12-6
Unselfish Play Pushes Temple Past Maryland, 73-60
1.21.12 | Men's Basketball
Owls dish 20 assists in Palestra matinee
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PHILADELPHIA - Temple welcomed back 6-11 graduate center Micheal Eric Saturday morning at The Palestra, and then shared the ball to the tune of 20 assists on 27 baskets in a 73-60 win over visiting Maryland. The Owls, now 11-3 in non-conference games, improved to 13-5 overall. Maryland falls to 12-6 on the season.
It was the Owls guard play that led the way at the sold-out Palestra. Senior Ramone Moore and junior Khalif Wyatt each finished with 20 points while senior guard Juan Fernandez, who was a perfect on three 3-pointers, added 14. Wyatt tied his career-high with seven assists while Fernandez dished five assists and is now tied with Mark Tyndale (2004-08) for 10th place (377 assists) on TU's alltime list.
Eric, who had missed the last 13 games due to a fractured right patella, took the floor with 12:29 remaining in the first half to a rousing cheer from the Temple fans that packed the historic arena. The Lagos, Nigeria native only played seven minutes in the contest, but his presence was felt by his teammates.
This was a game that Temple trailed for only 30 seconds (8-7 at 14:55 mark), but the Owls were never truly comfortable until the final minute of play.
The Owls, who's largest first half lead was five points, scored the first eight points of the second half to take a 40-29 advantage. It was their guard trio of Moore (3-pointer), Wyatt (3-pointer) and Fernandez (two) that led the run.
Maryland would run off nine-straight points midway through the half with James Padgett (10 pts) and Terrell Stoglin (20 pts) each contributing two baskets.
After Moore and Stoglin traded baskets, Wyatt and Moore drained huge treys to give the Owls a 63-56 lead. Stoglin then drained a three from deep in the right corner, but Fernandez answered with a three of his own off an assist by Wyatt.
Stuglin connected on one of two from the free throw line, a place the Terps struggled from all game (10-21), to make it 66-60 with just over three minutes on the clock.
That would be all the points the visitors would score, as the Owls ran off the final seven points of the contest.
Besides Temple's "big three", sophomore guard Aaron Brown posted his sixth double-figure (12 pts) game off the bench and first since the Duke upset. Brown also pulled down a career-high eight rebounds to lead the Cherry and White.
The Owls shot nearly 50 percent (27-55, .491) from the field, and drained nine three-pointers (40.9%). Temple also out-rebounded the Terps, 31-30, but Maryland's 7-1 center Alex Len was limited ti just seven minutes as he injured his ankle in the first half.
Pe'Shon Howard added 15 points for the Terps, who had just eight assists while committing 16 turnovers.
Temple now resumes conference play with a trip to Charlotte Wednesday evening (7:00 p.m./1210 AM WPHT).
