On Thursday night at The Liacouras Center, the Temple Owls had a stiff test against an AAC foe, the 18th-ranked Memphis Tigers(13-4, 3-1).
Coming into this game, Memphis was undefeated in AAC play and riding a four-game winning streak. The Tigers have had big wins this season over Connecticut, Ole Miss, and Michigan State.
However, Temple was up for the test.
Led by standout performances from Jamal Mashburn Jr., who scored 21 points, and Quante Berry, who added 19, Temple upset Memphis 88-81.
The Owis(11-6, 3-1) had five players in double figures.
Temple led most of the game and never trailed in the second half. The Owls had their largest lead of 15 points at 52-37 with just under 15 minutes to go. Memphis got the lead down to two at 65-63 after two P.J. Haggerty free throws with just under six minutes to go.
Haggerty led Memphis with 21 points.
However, after Babatunde Durodola missed a free throw, Temple’s Shane Dezonie, who had 15 points and a game-high 13 rebounds off the bench, grabbed an offensive rebound, and Mashburn Jr. hit a huge three to put the Owls back up by five.
To Temple’s credit, they outworked the Tigers. They killed Memphis on the glass and outrebounded them 49-25. Temple had 22 offensive rebounds.
In the end, the Owls wanted this game more than the Tigers, and it showed.
Temple head coach Adam Fisher, who is in his second season with the team, gets a signature win.
The victory also underscores the team’s dominance at The Liacouras Center, where they remain undefeated at 7-0.
After a tough loss to East Carolina, Temple has won two straight and will finish off their two-game homestand against AAC foe Tulane on Sunday. The upcoming game against Tulane presents another opportunity for Temple to showcase its skills and continue its winning streak.
Notes:
Former Temple forward Nicholas Jourdain made his return to North Broad Street and had 11 points for Memphis.
Temple forward Elijah Gray(hamstring) left in the first half and did not return.
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