Temple University Athletics
Temple University
10-5,2-0American
UTSA
4-10,0-2American
Temple Picks Up Sixth Straight Win with 76-57 Triumph Against UTSA
1.3.26 | Men's Basketball
Griffiths is the first NCAA Division I player in at least 30 seasons with 23 points, seven blocks and six 3-pointers in a game, according to ESPN.
PHILADELPHIA – Led by historic performances from Gavin Griffiths and Jordan Mason, the Temple University men's basketball team recorded its sixth consecutive win with a 76-57 victory over UTSA on Saturday afternoon at the Liacouras Center.
The Owls (10-5, 2-0 American) have posted their longest winning streak since the 2024-25 season, while the Roadrunners (4-10, 0-2 American) dropped their seventh straight contest.
Griffiths finished with 23 points and became the first NCAA Division I player in at least 30 seasons to record 23 points, seven blocks and six 3-pointers in a game, according to ESPN.
Mason totaled 15 points and 12 assists for his second career double-double. He became the first Owl to register at least 15 points and 12 assists since Mardy Collins had 25 points and 12 assists against Maryland at the Liacouras Center on Jan. 28, 2006.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In Temple's first game of 2026, Jamai Felt scored the first two field goals of the calendar year to give the Owls a 4-0 lead. Griffiths followed with a two-hand slam as Temple built a six-point advantage through the first five minutes of play.
Temple controlled the glass early, hauling in 15 rebounds in the opening eight minutes and using that advantage to maintain its six-point lead.
UTSA responded with a quick run to tie the game at 14 midway through the half. Temple answered with perimeter shooting, regaining a six-point margin on 3-pointers by Griffiths and Masiah Gilyard.
Late in the half, the Owls used an 18-4 run to extend the lead to a game-high 14. The surge featured two and-ones from Babatunde Durodola. Temple entered halftime leading by nine.
The second half opened evenly before Griffiths sparked the Owls midway through the period with two 3-pointers and a put-back dunk, helping Temple to an 11-point lead with eight minutes remaining.
The Owls then used a 15-6 run to push the margin to a game-high 17. During that stretch Griffiths reached a season-high 20 points, including five 3-pointers.
UTSA made a late 6-0 push to trim the lead to 11 with five minutes left, but Temple answered and closed out the 76–57 win.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Griffiths tallied a season-high 23 points, surpassing his previous mark of 17 against Saint Francis on Dec. 14. He added a career-high six 3-pointers and seven blocks. His seven blocks tied a Liacouras Center record shared with Lamont Barnes, who recorded seven against Rhode Island on Jan. 4, 1998. The Simsbury, Connecticut, native finished with five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Mason set a career high with 12 assists, surpassing his previous best of 11 against Georgian Court. It marked the most assists by an Owl since Collins' performance against Maryland in 2006. Mason added five rebounds and four steals.
Four Owls scored in double figures: Griffiths (23), Mason (15), Aiden Tobiason (13) and Durodola (10). Durodola shot 4-for-5 from the field and grabbed four rebounds.
In his first start as an Owl, Gilyard posted nine points and eight rebounds, narrowly missing a double-double.
Temple recorded 25 first-half rebounds, its most in any half this season. The Owls tied their season high with 44 total rebounds, matching games against La Salle on Nov. 11 and Georgian Court on Dec. 9. Temple also set a season high in steals with 10 and tied its season high with nine blocks.
UP NEXT
Temple remains home to face East Carolina on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the Liacouras Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. The game will stream on ESPN+ and will be available on owlsports.com/listen.
