Second Half Burst Lifts Temple Past UTSA in San Antonio

Saturday, January 24

San Antonio, Texas

1:00 PM

Temple University

13-7,5-2American

UTSA

4-16,0-8American

Temple

UTSA

Photo by: Robin Hsiao

Second Half Burst Lifts Temple Past UTSA in San Antonio

1.24.26 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

SAN ANTONIO — Falling behind by 10 points in the first half and facing a two-point deficit at halftime, the Temple University men's basketball team scored 17 of the first 20 points in the second half to spark a 70-64 win over UTSA on Saturday afternoon at the Convocation Center.

The Owls (13-7, 5-2 American) head home to snowy Pennsylvania with two wins in the Lone Star State. The Roadrunners (4-16, 0-8 American) dropped their 13th consecutive game.

The Owls were led in scoring and on the glass by Derrian Ford, who posted 21 points and eight rebounds. Ford reached 1,000 career points with his final points of the afternoon, a driving layup that lifted Temple to a 65-58 lead with 1:04 remaining.

HOW IT HAPPENED

UTSA pushed the tempo early, opening the afternoon with a quick 7-2 run. The Owls eventually reined in the Roadrunners courtesy of a three-point play by Ford, as Temple trailed by one through five minutes.
The Roadrunners answered with an 8-0 run to push their lead to eight with 12 minutes on the clock in the first half. UTSA's offensive attack was built around the interior at that point, scoring 18 of its first 23 points in the paint.
It was tightly contested for the remainder of the first half, with the Roadrunners' lead not exceeding seven points over the final eight minutes and UTSA holding a two-point lead at the break.
While it was a close start to the second half, the Owls found momentum and surged to their first lead. Aiden Tobiason and Ford led the way for Temple at that point, with 11 points apiece.
Temple continued its strong start to the period, extending its lead to a game-high 10 as the Owls outscored the Roadrunners 13-3 over the first seven minutes of the second half.
UTSA gained momentum again through the middle stages of the half, putting together a 7-0 run. Jordan Mason finally stopped the bleeding for Temple, knocking down a 3-pointer from the top of the key as the Owls led by four with seven minutes remaining.
The contest remained tight heading into the homestretch, with Temple holding a four-point lead with three minutes on the clock. With one more late push, the Owls sealed the deal, finishing the Texas sweep with a 70-64 victory.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

Along with Ford, Tobiason (15 points) and Mason (18) finished in double figures for the Owls. Tobiason added four assists and five rebounds.
Playing in his hometown with plenty of family and friends in attendance, Mason tied his season high in scoring with 18 points (5-for-12 FG, 6-for-8 FT). He totaled 14 of his 18 points in the second half and distributed three assists over the final 20 minutes.
With his 21st point, Ford scored the 1,000th point of his career. Ford joins AJ Smith and Mason as Owls to reach the 1,000-point milestone this season.
Eight Owls recorded at least one steal, with Tobiason and Mason totaling two apiece.
After shooting 37% in the first half (10-for-27), the Owls found their stroke over the final 20 minutes by knocking down 14 of 27 from the floor.
UTSA was led in scoring by Baboucarr Njie, who totaled 25 points and 10 rebounds in a double-double performance.
Temple has held UTSA to its two worst 3-point shooting performances of the season, with the Roadrunners going 2 for 15 from long range Saturday. Combined with the Jan. 3 matchup, UTSA shot 6 of 36 (.167) against Temple.
Temple has registered 13 wins through its first 20 games for the first time since the 2021-22 season.
The Owls improved to 5-1 all-time against UTSA.

UP NEXT

Temple returns to North Philadelphia for two games next week, first hosting Charlotte on Wednesday, Jan. 28 for Small Business and Greek Night at the Liacouras Center. Opening tip is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.