The Tigers managed to stay in Thursday night’s game at Temple despite one of the worst shooting performances in the history of the program. The Tigers missed 22 of their 23 attempts from three-point range, yet trailed by only four points (73-69) with four minutes left to play. Shizz Alston buried a three-pointer (his only one) with 2:20 to play to extend the Owls’ lead to eight (80-72) and all but end the Tigers’ three-game winning streak.
Quinton Rose scored 18 points in the game’s fist 13 minutes, helping Temple to a 25-8 lead, the margin peaking at 20 points in the first half. But an 18-10 Tiger run closed the score to 41-33 at halftime and Memphis pulled within three points (45-42) on a Jeremiah Martin layup just over three minutes into the second half. But the Tigers never found their long-range touch, while the Owls connected on 10 of 27 three-point attempts (including seven of their first nine).
Rose led Temple (now 15-4, 5-1 in the American Athletic Conference) with 26 points. Martin led the Tigers with 28 points while Kareem Brewton added 15 and Raynere Thornton 14. Saddled by foul trouble, Kyvon Davenport was limited to seven points (less than half his average).
The Tigers drop to 12-7 with the loss and are now 4-2 in AAC play. They return to FedExForum Sunday to host UCF. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.
