Temple University Athletics

Friday, March 11
Orlando, Fla.
12:00 p.m.

Temple University

21-10

79
vs
62

USF (American Quarterfinals)

8-25

1
2
F
USF
27
35
62
Temple
35
44
79
Photo by: Ben Solomon/American Athletic Conference

Temple Rolls Past USF, 79-62 in American Tournament Quarterfinals

3.11.16 | Men's Basketball

ORLANDO - Five players scored in double figures to lead top-seeded Temple men's basketball to a 79-62 win over ninth-seeded USF (8-25) in the American Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals on Friday afternoon. The Owls (21-10) were led by senior forward Jaylen Bond with 17 points, eight rebounds, four steals and three assists.

Temple led by double digits for the last 17 minutes of the game, building as much as a 23-point lead down the stretch. 

It was the third time this season the Owls have had five double-figure scorers, and their 79 points tied for the third-most this year. Senior Quenton DeCosey put up 14 points and tied Bond for team-high honors in rebounds with eight, while sophomore Obi Enechionyia scored 13 points. 

Junior Mark Williams came off the bench for 11 points, hitting 3-of-3 from long range and 4-of-5 overall. Senior Devin Coleman rounded out the Owls' double-figure scorers, contributing 10 points. Junior Josh Brown dished a game-high seven assists while also putting up eight points.

USF was led by junior Chris Perry with 19 points. The Owls had not previously faced Perry, whose six-game suspension for violation of team rules included both Temple match-ups.

An early 7-0 run capped by an Enechionyia dunk put the Owls up 13-4, and they went on to lead by as many as 14 after another 7-0 run near the midway point of the half. Coleman finished that second run with a three-pointer for a 23-9 lead at 8:44, but USF answered with a 9-0 run over the next three minutes, cutting Temple's lead to five, 23-18 at 5:56.

Temple was able to pull back ahead by 11 twice in the final minutes, but the Bulls' Jahmal McMurray hit a buzzer-beating trey to end the half and cut the Owls' advantage to eight at the break, 35-27.

The Owls forced 10 USF turnovers in the first half and gained a 10-2 lead in points off turnovers. Bond was Temple's leader at halftime with eight points and six rebounds, five of which he pulled down on the offensive glass.

USF scored the first bucket of the second half, but Temple then used a 9-0 run to take a 15-point lead and kept its advantage to double digits the rest of the way. 

With 7:36 left, Temple built its largest lead of 23, 66-43, matching that lead a minute later. The Bulls made a run to come within 14 with 4:25 remaining, but could get no closer.

Temple now awaits the winner of fourth-seeded Cincinnati vs. fifth-seeded UConn. The Owls' semifinal contest will be played at 3 p.m. on Saturday (ESPN2/1210 AM WPHT).

Box Score (PDF) | Video Highlights | Press Conference
 
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