Temple University Athletics
Temple University
15-12,7-7American
Wichita State
18-10,10-5American
Temple Drops 69-57 Decision at Wichita State
2.21.26 | Men's Basketball
WICHITA, Kan. – The Temple University men's basketball team dropped a 69-57 decision to Wichita State on Saturday night at Charles Koch Arena, marking the Owls' fourth straight loss and their longest skid of the season. Temple trailed 33-27 at halftime and saw the Shockers stretch the margin to as many as 18 in the second half, fueled by 50 percent shooting after the break and 21 made free throws on the night.
Aiden Tobiason (18 points) and Derrian Ford (15 points) combined for 33 of Temple's 57 points, but the Owls shot just 36.4 percent from the field overall. With the loss, Temple (15-12, 7-7) falls into a tie for eighth place in the American with Florida Atlantic, whom they will face Thursday night in Boca Raton, Fla.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- It was tight between both sides to start with the game knotted at nine through the first six minutes of action. The pair of Jordan Mason and Derrian Ford led the charge early, combining for nine of Temple's 16 points by the 12-minute mark.
- Halfway through the first half, the contest remained tight. The teams exchanged five ties through the first 12 minutes in a back-and-forth opening stretch.
- Towards the end of the first half, the game settled into a defensive battle, with neither side shooting north of 40 percent with four minutes remaining in the half. The Shockers were able to gain a clear advantage on the boards, outrebounding Temple 20-10 to this point.
- Approaching halftime, Temple found itself on the wrong end of a Shocker run, with the home team going on an 8-2 run to go up 33-27 at the break.
- Wichita State picked up right where it left off in the second half, with the team holding the Owls without a made field goal for 6:37, using this stretch to build the lead to eight with 13 minutes remaining.
- The Shockers were able to increase their lead to 13 with guard Kenyon Giles leading the way, scoring a game-high 18 points. Wichita State continued to shine on the defensive end, containing Temple to just 25 percent shooting (2-8) from the field eight minutes into the half.
- Another Wichita State spurt stretched the lead to as high as 18 with an 8-0 run fueling this burst. The Owls still had some life, however, putting together a 6-0 run, but the home side would remain in control, holding onto a 12-point lead with three minutes left.
- Wichita State maintained control the rest of the way, keeping the margin steady en route to a 69-57 win as the Owls endured their fourth consecutive setback.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Aiden Tobiason (18) and Derrian Ford (15) each finished in double figures for Temple.
- The Owls finished with just seven turnovers. This marks the 16th game this season in which the Owls have had 10 or fewer turnovers.
- Finishing with nine points, Gavin Griffiths recorded his best scoring performance since facing UTSA on Jan. 24.
- With five rebounds, Masiah Gilyard has finished with at least four rebounds in each of his last four outings.
- Griffiths finished with three steals, tying a season high.
UP NEXT
Temple returns to action in its penultimate road game of the 2025-26 season when the Owls face Florida Atlantic on Thursday, Feb. 26. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. with the game being broadcast on ESPN2 and available to listen at OwlSports.com/listen.
