Temple University Athletics
Saturday, February 27
Liacouras Center
12:00 p.m.
Temple University
18-10, 12-4
63
vs
61
UCF
11-16, 5-11
1
2
F
UCF
29
32
61
Temple
31
32
63
Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Men's Basketball Wins a Nail-Biter on Hooter the Owl's Birthday, 63-61 Over UCF
2.27.16 | Men's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA - With three seconds remaining, senior Quenton DeCosey hit a 15-foot jumper to lift Temple men's basketball (18-10, 12-4) to a 63-61 win against visiting UCF (11-16, 5-11) on Saturday afternoon. Junior Josh Brown grabbed a critical offensive rebound just moments before, and the Knights' long three-point attempt at the buzzer did not fall.
It was yet another win for Temple on Hooter the Owl's birthday, and the Owls are now 11-0 all-time on their mascot's big day.
Brown was not a scoring threat for Temple in the win, but tied his career high with nine assists while also finishing with eight boards. The leading scorer for a third game in a row was sophomore Obi Enechionyia with 18 points, while DeCosey finished with 16 and senior Devin Coleman came off the bench for 12 points.
Temple has won 13 straight games when DeCosey finishes with 15 or more points, and is 13-1 overall when he achieves that feat.
The Owls never trailed in the final 15 minutes of the contest, but it was never more than a one or two-possession game in that stretch. The only tie in that entire time came with a minute remaining when UCF's Daiquan Walker hit 2-of-3 from the stripe. DeCosey missed a three-pointer with just two seconds on the shot clock and 32 seconds left in the game, but Brown collected the rebound to give Temple another chance. After a timeout, the Owls ran down the shot clock yet again and DeCosey broke the tie with three seconds left in the game.
UCF's 7-6 freshman center Tacko Fall gave the Owls trouble all game long and finished with 13 points, a game and career-high 14 rebounds and a game-high five blocks. The Knights' Daiquan Walker was the leading scorer in the contest with 21 points.
The first half was tight throughout with three ties and six lead changes. The Owls led 10-6 early, but soon trailed by seven after an 11-0 UCF run put the Knights up 17-10 at 13:16.
Temple tied the game three minutes later, and neither team led by more than three the rest of the half. UCF held a 29-28 lead with two minutes to go, but the Owls scored the final five points and took a 31-29 lead into the break.
Enechionyia led Temple with 11 points and six rebounds at halftime, with DeCosey was also in double figures with 10.
An 8-2 run gave the Knights a four-point, 37-33 lead early in the second half, but the Owls answered quickly and did not trail again. Junior Daniel Dingle and Coleman each hit treys in an 8-0 run, with Coleman hitting another on Temple's next possession for a 44-39 lead at 13:43.
Temple's largest lead of six points came with 11:19 to go in the half. Down the stretch UCF came within a point on four occasions before tying the game at the free throw line with one minute to go, 61-61.
Temple's next game is its final home contest of the season, and the Owls will celebrate Senior Night as they take on Memphis at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 3 (ESPNU/1210 AM WPHT).
Box Score (PDF) l Photo Gallery (Joe Labolito) l Photo Gallery (Ryan Brandenberg) | Press Conference | Video Highlights | Hooter's Birthday Celebration
It was yet another win for Temple on Hooter the Owl's birthday, and the Owls are now 11-0 all-time on their mascot's big day.
Brown was not a scoring threat for Temple in the win, but tied his career high with nine assists while also finishing with eight boards. The leading scorer for a third game in a row was sophomore Obi Enechionyia with 18 points, while DeCosey finished with 16 and senior Devin Coleman came off the bench for 12 points.
Temple has won 13 straight games when DeCosey finishes with 15 or more points, and is 13-1 overall when he achieves that feat.
The Owls never trailed in the final 15 minutes of the contest, but it was never more than a one or two-possession game in that stretch. The only tie in that entire time came with a minute remaining when UCF's Daiquan Walker hit 2-of-3 from the stripe. DeCosey missed a three-pointer with just two seconds on the shot clock and 32 seconds left in the game, but Brown collected the rebound to give Temple another chance. After a timeout, the Owls ran down the shot clock yet again and DeCosey broke the tie with three seconds left in the game.
UCF's 7-6 freshman center Tacko Fall gave the Owls trouble all game long and finished with 13 points, a game and career-high 14 rebounds and a game-high five blocks. The Knights' Daiquan Walker was the leading scorer in the contest with 21 points.
The first half was tight throughout with three ties and six lead changes. The Owls led 10-6 early, but soon trailed by seven after an 11-0 UCF run put the Knights up 17-10 at 13:16.
Temple tied the game three minutes later, and neither team led by more than three the rest of the half. UCF held a 29-28 lead with two minutes to go, but the Owls scored the final five points and took a 31-29 lead into the break.
Enechionyia led Temple with 11 points and six rebounds at halftime, with DeCosey was also in double figures with 10.
An 8-2 run gave the Knights a four-point, 37-33 lead early in the second half, but the Owls answered quickly and did not trail again. Junior Daniel Dingle and Coleman each hit treys in an 8-0 run, with Coleman hitting another on Temple's next possession for a 44-39 lead at 13:43.
Temple's largest lead of six points came with 11:19 to go in the half. Down the stretch UCF came within a point on four occasions before tying the game at the free throw line with one minute to go, 61-61.
Temple's next game is its final home contest of the season, and the Owls will celebrate Senior Night as they take on Memphis at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 3 (ESPNU/1210 AM WPHT).
Box Score (PDF) l Photo Gallery (Joe Labolito) l Photo Gallery (Ryan Brandenberg) | Press Conference | Video Highlights | Hooter's Birthday Celebration
Team Stats
UCF
TU
FG%
.362
.348
3FG%
.258
.346
FT%
.647
.800
RB
42
41
TO
12
6
STL
3
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
18
FGM
8
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
1
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Players Mentioned
G
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