Temple University Athletics
Temple University
11-6,3-1American
Memphis
8-8,3-1American
Second-Half Comeback Falls Short for Owls in 55-53 Loss at Memphis
1.14.26 | Men's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Trailing by 13 points with 12:25 remaining, the Temple University men's basketball team came within two points of Memphis on three occasions over the final six minutes but ultimately fell, 55-53, in a physical defensive battle Wednesday evening at the FedExForum.
The Owls (11-6, 3-1 American) saw their seven-game winning streak snapped by the defending conference champion. The Tigers (8-8, 3-1 American) rebounded after suffering their first league loss to Florida Atlantic.
Temple used an 11-5 run to cut the deficit to 53-49 with 3:48 remaining, allowing just two made field goals over the final 8:31 of play. Derrian Ford twice trimmed the margin to two, converting a pair of free throws and later knocking down a pull-up jumper.
After a layup by Memphis' Sincere Parker with 1:13 remaining, Gavin Griffiths responded with a two-hand dunk with 40 seconds left. The Owls then forced a Memphis turnover with 13 seconds to go, but Jordan Mason's game-tying runner with less than a second remaining fell short as the Tigers held on for the 55-53 victory.
- Offense was hard to come by early, as both teams combined to shoot just 27.3 percent from the field through the first four minutes. Temple used a 6-0 run to take an early lead.
- Griffiths took control during the middle portion of the half, knocking down a key 3-pointer and recording a block on the defensive end to push the Owls' advantage to three with 10 minutes remaining.
- Memphis answered with an 8-0 run, eventually building its lead to as many as seven. The Tigers carried that momentum into halftime, stretching the margin to eight and taking a 29-22 lead into the break. Griffiths led Temple with nine first-half points.
- Temple opened the second half efficiently, shooting 66.7 percent from the floor over the first five minutes and trimming the deficit to four. Memphis quickly responded with a 7-0 run to regain control and extend its lead to a game-high 11.
- The Owls stayed within striking distance throughout the middle stages of the half, keeping the margin to two possessions with six minutes remaining. Temple continued to attack the rim, pulling within two after Ford converted a pair of free throws.
- The deficit remained slim into the final minutes. Memphis briefly pushed the lead to four before Griffiths answered with a two-hand slam to make it a two-point game once again. Temple had one final opportunity to tie or win, but Mason's look inside missed as Memphis secured the 55-53 result.
- Temple played with heavy hearts, competing in its first game since the passing of assistant men's basketball coach Bill Courtney earlier this week.
- Temple opened the game 1-for-13 from 3-point range and finished 2-for-19 from beyond the arc. Despite the two-point loss, it marked the Owls' lowest 3-point shooting percentage in a conference game since the 2021-22 season.
- The Owls committed an uncharacteristic 14 turnovers. Temple entered the game ranked third nationally, averaging 8.8 turnovers per contest.
- Temple won the rebounding battle, 41-35.
- Griffiths (15 points), Ford (14) and Aiden Tobiason (10) all scored in double figures. Griffiths added six rebounds and three blocks and has now scored at least 10 points in seven of his last eight games. The Simsbury, Conn., native has totaled 14 blocks over his past three outings.
- Tobiason recorded team highs with seven rebounds and four assists.
- With Tulane's loss to UAB, there are no remaining undefeated teams in conference play. Temple, Memphis, Tulane, South Florida and Florida Atlantic are tied atop the standings with 3-1 league records.
- Temple returns to Philadelphia to host Florida Atlantic on Sunday, Jan. 18, at noon. The matchup will air nationally on ESPNU, with an audio broadcast available at owlsports.com/listen.
