(PHOTO RECEIVED FROM Matt Slocum)
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) Temple came out the gates blazing, taking a quick 31-18 lead with four minutes remaining in the first half. However, Villanova made a big 11-3 run to end the half and looked to carry this momentum into the second.
Eric Dixon led the Wildcats right back into the game within the first two minutes of the half, cutting the Owls lead to just three. Yet Coach McKie made adjustments on the fly and was able to shut down any Nova momentum. By running the offense through elite guards Khalif Battle and Damian Dunn, Temple extended the lead back out to eight with 14 minutes remaining.
Villanova needed a spark to work their way back into the game – and that’s exactly what they got from senior forward Caleb Daniels. Daniels continued utilizing his big 210-pound frame to bully his way inside, drawing plenty of fouls. Daniels went 7-7 from the free throw line, all coming in the second half. In the blink of an eye, Villanova tied up the game 47-47 with just under ten minutes to go.
From this point on, no team had more than a four-point lead for the rest of the night. The energy in the Liacouras Center was electric, as this was one of the biggest games where fans have been allowed since the pandemic.
Temple held the lead up until the three-minute mark, where Jordan Longino’s layup gave Villanova a one-point lead, 59-58. Neither team was able to score for another 90 seconds until sophomore Owl Zach Hicks got fouled on a put back. Hicks put Temple up one, although quickly losing the lead off a Caleb Daniels layup. After Damian Dunn hit a tough bucket, Jordan Longino nailed a long range three, forcing Aaron McKie to use one of his last timeouts down two.
Then was the Damian Dunn show. Dunn got fouled on an aggressive move to the basket and nailed both his free throws to tie the game. Dunn then got switched onto Caleb Daniels, who had been cooking the Owl’s defense all night long, with a tie game. Dunn held his own, utilizing the upper body strength he worked on this past summer, and forced Daniels to miss a tough mid-range jumper.
Khalif Battle gave the ball to Dame with 19 seconds left on the clock and was asked after the game how they decided who would get the ball in the final seconds. Khalif responded, “Dame. I wasn’t going to pass it to anybody else, it was either him, or I’m taking the last shot. We saw it all last year what he could do in crunch time, and he did it again.” The chemistry between these two players has grown very strong and will continue to grow throughout the season.
Dunn got fouled with one second remaining, nailed both his free throws, and sealed the victory. Temple fans stormed the court when Villanova’s full court heave was intercepted, not knowing a foul was called on Eric Dixon as time expired.
Last night was fun. Student section was crazy. Thank you Temple fans! pic.twitter.com/LryAGS1YSG
— Temple Owls (@TempleOwls) November 12, 2022
The key to the victory was the inside presence of the Owls, primarily Jamille Reynolds. Reynolds came over from UCF this summer, claiming that UCF was not utilizing his skillset the correct way, and wanted a bigger role. Reynolds was looked early to get buckets and dominated right from the opening tipoff. Scoring eight of the first 13 points, Reynolds had his best game as an Owl, finishing with 14 points, 12 rebounds (five offensive), and one block.
14 and 12. First career double- double for Milly.
𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗜𝗡! #ForPhilly @jamillerey4 pic.twitter.com/tYFqXgmXtw
— Temple Men's Basketball (@TUMBBHoops) November 13, 2022
The dynamic scoring duo of Damian Dunn and Khalif Battle put on a show for the radical Temple crowd. They scored 22 (Dunn,) and 21 (Battle), showing just how effective they can be next to each other.
— . (@khalifbattle24) November 12, 2022
Even with their offensive dominance, both players discussed their defensive improvements after the game.
Khalif specifically worked on his defense a lot this past off-season, saying after the game, “If anyone asked me what I’ve worked on this summer, it was definitely defense, and I think it’s been helpful to the team so far. It’s only the beginning, and I still have a lot more room to improve, so I’m accepting the challenge.”
Now let’s talk about struggles. Both starting forwards, Jahlil White and Zach Hicks have not played well through the first two games. Zach Hicks is currently 2-17 from the field, including just 1-10 from three. However, Coach McKie doesn’t seem worried. He claimed that Hicks is a hard worker and earlier that day he had to force Hicks to leave the gym, as he is almost overworking himself. Zach is still young, and once his shot starts to fall will show how important he is to this young Owls team.
Hicks accumulated four steals in the win against Villanova, showing he’s more than just a sharpshooter. As for Jahlil White, neither side of the ball is treating him well. He’s scored one point on 0-7 shooting, along with accumulating nine fouls in the two games. Known as a defensive specialist, White needs to keep more control of his body while defending the other team’s best player, as he’s a crucial aspect of Temple’s success.
Coach McKie expressed his feelings about the win after the game with a fantastic post-game speech.
Bounced back. Team win.
𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗜𝗡! #ForPhilly @TUcoachMcKie pic.twitter.com/8SJxq1yhqp
— Temple Men's Basketball (@TUMBBHoops) November 12, 2022
Temple looks to pull off their second win of the season against the 0-2 Vanderbilt Commodores. Continuing their seven-game home stretch, the Owls play tonight, 11/15 at 7:00 ET.
