PHILADELPHIA – Senior center Mohamed Keita lifted the Temple University men's basketball team to two late leads, including the game-winning tip-in with six seconds remaining, as the Owls earned a 79-78 win over South Florida in front of a White Out crowd Saturday night on ESPN2 at the Liacouras Center.
The Owls (14-8, 6-3 American) are now tied with the Bulls (14-8, 6-3 American) and Florida Atlantic for third place in the American. Temple is a half-game out of second place and one game behind first-place Charlotte following the victory.
Keita put Temple ahead, 77-76, with 38 seconds remaining by knocking down two free throws. He entered the game with a career free-throw percentage of 37.5% (9-24), but converted both when the Owls needed them most. The Bulls countered with a dunk to take a 78-77 lead with 22 seconds remaining.
After a timeout, Derrian Ford could not convert a jumper with under 10 seconds to go, but Keita was in the right place at the right time, delivering the game-winning tip-in with six seconds left. South Florida turned the ball over with 2.5 seconds remaining, then forced a turnover on the ensuing inbounds to get a final shot attempt before time expired, but Temple ultimately secured the 79-78 victory.
- Temple got off to a hot start, taking an early 11-4 lead with Gavin Griffiths connecting from the perimeter as the Owls held the Bulls to 20% shooting through the first 4:30.
- Temple kept the run going and pushed the lead to double digits on a Masiah Gilyard 3-pointer. Aiden Tobiason led the way early with six points as Temple opened with a 12-4 advantage in points in the paint.
- Midway through the half, South Florida answered with a 14-2 run, trimming Temple's lead to three before taking its first lead with 4:30 remaining on an and-one to go up 32-30.
- The Owls responded with Tobiason throwing down a two-handed slam and Gilyard converting a second-chance bucket as Temple retook the lead late in the half and went into the break ahead, 39-38.
- The Bulls opened the second half by building their lead to a game-high six. Temple surged back behind a pair of 3-pointers from Ford and Griffiths to take a 49-47 lead with 15:45 to play.
- Temple built on that momentum with a 13-0 run, holding the Bulls to 20% shooting over an eight-minute stretch. Tobiason scored 12 in the half to that point as eight minutes remained.
- South Florida climbed back within one with 3:30 remaining on an 11-5 run, then took a 76-73 lead on a key and-one by Joseph Pinion.
- In a one-point game with 1:02 remaining, Temple came up with a crucial defensive stop, forcing a shot-clock violation. On the ensuing possession, Temple drew a foul, and Keita calmly knocked down both free throws to put the Owls ahead, 77-76.
- USF answered with an alley-oop on the next trip to regain the lead, but Keita responded once more with a timely tip-in to swing the advantage back to Temple, 79-78. On the final possession, the Bulls' potential game-winner was ruled out of bounds as Pinion's foot was on the line, sealing the Owls' 79-78 White Out victory.
- Aiden Tobiason (22), Derrian Ford (18) and Masiah Gilyard (13) all finished in double figures for Temple.
- Tobiason led the game in scoring after tallying 14 second-half points.
- Facing his former head coach in Bryan Hodgson (at Arkansas State), Ford added four rebounds and three assists.
- Gilyard totaled six rebounds.
- After missing the previous game due to injury, Griffiths stuffed the stat sheet with nine points, five rebounds and five assists.
- With 22 points, this marked Tobiason's fourth 20-point game of the season.
- USF entered the contest ranked 10th nationally with 90.1 points per game, as the Owl defense held the Bulls 12 points below their average.
- Temple held USF to 32 rebounds, tied for the Bulls' season-low mark.
- The Owls forced a USF season-high 18 turnovers, converting them into 21 points off turnovers.
- Temple registered 32 points in the paint, its most in conference play to date. The Owls' 19 assists were also a season high in league action.
- Over the past two games, Temple has gone 41-for-46 at the free-throw line (89.1%).
- The game featured 10 lead changes and four ties. Temple led for 28:24 of the 40-minute contest.
- Temple now leads the all-time series, 17-9.
- With the win, Temple holds a head-to-head tiebreaker over USF, earning a win in the only meeting during the regular season.
- Temple will have a week off from competition before traveling to face East Carolina on Saturday, Feb. 7.
- Tipoff is scheduled for noon on ESPNU and will also be available to listen to on owlsports.com/listen.
