Temple University Athletics
Saturday, February 1
Liacouras Center
4:00 PM
Temple University
6-14, 2-2Big 5
74
vs
90
Villanova
19-2, 4-0Big 5
1
2
F
Villanova
36
54
90
Temple
31
43
74
Will Cummings
Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
#9/9 Villanova Tops Men's Basketball 90-74 for Big 5 Title
2.1.14 | Men's Basketball
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PHILADELPHIA - With the Philadelphia Big 5 title on the line, #9/9 Villanova proved too much for Temple as the Wildcats pulled well ahead early in the second half and won 90-74 in front of a sell-out crowd of 10,206 at the Liacouras Center. The Owls (6-14, 2-2 Big 5) struggled from the field all game, while Villanova (19-2, 4-0 Big 5) shot 52.5 percent.
After building a 20-point lead in the first eight minutes of the second half, Villanova never let the Owls come within fewer than 15 until the final minute.
James Bell hit 5-of-10 from long range for the Wildcats, finishing with a team-best 19 points, while four other players also scored in double figures for Villanova.
Will Cummings scored a game-high 24 points for Temple, and Quenton DeCosey added 18. Anthony Lee recorded his ninth double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out with just over six minutes remaining.
The first half got off to a very rough start for Temple as the Owls hit just three of their first 19 shots from the field. Cummings and Lee combined for 14 of Temple's first 15 points before others started to pick up the pace.
Villanova led by as many as 12 with 8:37 to go in the first half, but Daniel Ochefu's dunk would be the only field goal for the Wildcats for the next six and a half minutes.
Cummings scored five points in a 12-0 run for Temple that tied up the game, 25-25 with 2:42 left in the half. All three of Villanova's field goals in the final minute and half were three-pointers, but Temple kept it close by hitting 4-of-4 at the line.
With just two seconds left on the shot clock and 18 seconds left in the half, Cummings drained a long two-pointer to bring the Owls within two, but Villanova's Ryan Arcidiacono hit a trey at the other end to give the Wildcats a 36-31 lead at the break.
Dalton Pepper started the second half hot with two three-pointers, but was the only Owl to score for nearly the first nine minutes as the Wildcats took a 22-point lead.
Pepper was held to just two points in the first half, but scored nine in the second to finish with 11. He also dished a team-best five assists.
The Owls recorded their second-fewest turnovers of the season (5), scoring 12 points off nine Villanova miscues. The Owls' seven steals helped lead to 16 fast break points compared to none for the Wildcats.
Temple will play its next two games on the road, starting with an 8:00 p.m. (EST) game at SMU on Thursday, Feb. 6. The game will be broadcast by ESPNews.
PHILADELPHIA - With the Philadelphia Big 5 title on the line, #9/9 Villanova proved too much for Temple as the Wildcats pulled well ahead early in the second half and won 90-74 in front of a sell-out crowd of 10,206 at the Liacouras Center. The Owls (6-14, 2-2 Big 5) struggled from the field all game, while Villanova (19-2, 4-0 Big 5) shot 52.5 percent.
After building a 20-point lead in the first eight minutes of the second half, Villanova never let the Owls come within fewer than 15 until the final minute.
James Bell hit 5-of-10 from long range for the Wildcats, finishing with a team-best 19 points, while four other players also scored in double figures for Villanova.
Will Cummings scored a game-high 24 points for Temple, and Quenton DeCosey added 18. Anthony Lee recorded his ninth double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out with just over six minutes remaining.
The first half got off to a very rough start for Temple as the Owls hit just three of their first 19 shots from the field. Cummings and Lee combined for 14 of Temple's first 15 points before others started to pick up the pace.
Villanova led by as many as 12 with 8:37 to go in the first half, but Daniel Ochefu's dunk would be the only field goal for the Wildcats for the next six and a half minutes.
Cummings scored five points in a 12-0 run for Temple that tied up the game, 25-25 with 2:42 left in the half. All three of Villanova's field goals in the final minute and half were three-pointers, but Temple kept it close by hitting 4-of-4 at the line.
With just two seconds left on the shot clock and 18 seconds left in the half, Cummings drained a long two-pointer to bring the Owls within two, but Villanova's Ryan Arcidiacono hit a trey at the other end to give the Wildcats a 36-31 lead at the break.
Dalton Pepper started the second half hot with two three-pointers, but was the only Owl to score for nearly the first nine minutes as the Wildcats took a 22-point lead.
Pepper was held to just two points in the first half, but scored nine in the second to finish with 11. He also dished a team-best five assists.
The Owls recorded their second-fewest turnovers of the season (5), scoring 12 points off nine Villanova miscues. The Owls' seven steals helped lead to 16 fast break points compared to none for the Wildcats.
Temple will play its next two games on the road, starting with an 8:00 p.m. (EST) game at SMU on Thursday, Feb. 6. The game will be broadcast by ESPNews.
Team Stats
VU
TU
FG%
.525
.362
3FG%
.414
.360
FT%
.762
.682
RB
40
40
TO
9
5
STL
3
7
Game Leaders
Pts
24
FGM
9
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
18
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
5
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
0
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