Temple Defeats Princeton 79-75 to Earn Bounce-Back Win in Kissimmee

Tuesday, November 25

Kissimmee, Fla.

7:30 p.m.

Temple University

4-2,0-0American

Princeton

3-5,0-0Ivy League

Temple

Princeton

Temple Defeats Princeton 79-75 to Earn Bounce-Back Win in Kissimmee

11.25.25 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Temple men's basketball team (4-2, 0-0 AMER) defeated the Princeton Tigers (3-5, 0-0 Ivy) at the State Farm Field House in Kissimmee, Fla., 79-75.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Both teams came out firing from deep, combining for nine straight three-point attempts to open the game, with Derrian Ford scoring Temple's first seven points to start.
Princeton controlled the pace early, using an 11–0 run to build a 10-point lead midway through the first half. Guard C.J. Happy led the way with eight points during this early stretch.
Gavin Griffiths delivered on a one-handed flush to provide Temple with a spark to cut the Tiger lead to just one. Princeton would remain in control through the remainder of the half, heading into the break with a four-point advantage.
The second half started aggressively for the Owls, as they generated points on three straight trips to the free-throw line to cut the Tiger lead to three. After a made three from Gavin Griffiths, Temple found a spark and went on a 10-0 run to take its first lead of the half.
Each side found its rhythm from beyond the arc, combining for five made threes in a two-minute span as the Owls held a slim lead midway through the period. Derrian Ford added key baskets during this stretch, bringing his total to 14 points at the eight-minute mark.
Aiden Tobiason started to find his rhythm, scoring three points during a 6-0 Temple run to push the Owl advantage to nine. The Tigers would then bounce back with a run of their own, fueled by Jackson Hickie, to cut the Temple lead back to two with four and a half minutes remaining.
The Owls maintained this lead down the stretch, with Jordan Mason connecting with Tobiason on an alley-oop jam to push them ahead. Temple shot 6-8 from the line down the stretch to secure a 79-75 win.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

The first half of play was notably chippy, with 25 combined free throws attempted by each side in the period.
Ayuba Bryant Jr. totaled six points, marking a career high.
With the win, Temple is set to face Rhode Island. This is the second straight year the Owls have faced the Rams, falling 85-79 last season.
Gavin Griffiths grabbed a career-high nine rebounds, surpassing his previous best of six set against La Salle on Nov. 11.
Derrian Ford finished the night with 21 points. This is the third time this season that Ford has eclipsed 20.

UP NEXT

Temple will play its final game from Central Florida on Wednesday, Nov. 26, in a matchup against Rhode Island. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. with the game available to watch on ESPNU.