Tobiason’s Career-High 27 Leads Temple Past ECU, 81-73

Saturday, February 7

Greenville, N.C.

Noon

Temple University

15-8,7-3American

East Carolina

7-16,2-8American

Temple

East Carolina

Photo by: Robin Hsiao

Tobiason’s Career-High 27 Leads Temple Past ECU, 81-73

2.7.26 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Led by a career-high 27 points from sophomore guard Aiden Tobiason, the Temple University men's basketball team defeated East Carolina, 81-73, Saturday afternoon at Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.

The Owls (15-8, 7-3) earned their fourth road win in five conference away trips to date. The Pirates (7-16, 2-8) fell after an impressive win over Florida Atlantic last week.

How It Happened

East Carolina had the upper hand early, opening on a 10-1 run. Tobiason stopped the bleeding for the Owls with a four-point play to cut the margin to five through four minutes.
Temple continued to regain momentum, pulling even on a 3-pointer from Gavin Griffiths that tied the game at 10. After several lead changes, the Owls built a three-point edge behind Masiah Gilyard, who scored a team-best seven points during the stretch.
The middle stages of the first half featured a defensive battle as the teams combined to shoot 3 for 21 over a prolonged span. Temple closed the half with a strong run to extend its lead to seven at the break.
Temple's offense started fast in the second half, pushing the lead to as many as 12 as Derrian Ford and Jordan Mason connected from the perimeter. Tobiason led the Owls at that point with a game-high 16 points.
While the Pirates kept the contest within reach, Temple maintained control with an eight-point cushion. Tobiason reached 25 points and added a highlight one-handed dunk with 8:16 remaining.
Down the stretch, Tobiason continued to assert himself as Temple held a seven-point lead with three minutes left. East Carolina made a push and trimmed the deficit to five with 1:34 to play, but Babatunde Durodola answered with an and-one off a sharp feed from Ford to push the lead back to seven. The response proved decisive as the Owls closed out the 81-73 victory.

Statistically Speaking

Tobiason (27), Gilyard (15), Mason (15) and Ford (11) all finished in double figures for the Owls.
Tobiason's 27-point effort set a career high, eclipsing his previous best of 23 scored against Delaware State and Florida Atlantic this season. His 27 points are tied for the most by an Owl this season, matching Ford's 27-point performance against Saint Joseph's.
Over the past five games, Tobiason is averaging 19.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 54 percent from the floor.
With just four turnovers, Temple posted a season low, besting its five-turnover outing against Boston College. It marked the fewest giveaways by an Owl team since Temple committed two turnovers against UTSA in the 2023-24 regular-season finale. Temple has committed nine or fewer turnovers in 13 games this season.
Temple controlled the glass, outrebounding East Carolina 40-31 and grabbing a season-high 17 offensive rebounds.
Gavin Griffiths led the way off the glass with nine rebounds. Ford and Tobiason each added six.
Mason totaled seven assists, while Ford added five helpers.
Through 10 conference games, Temple is 7-3 and tied with South Florida and Charlotte for second place, one game behind Tulsa (8-2). The Owls are 4-1 on the road in conference play, with their lone setback a 55-53 loss to Memphis.
The Pirates were led by Jordan Riley's 32 points.

Up Next