(PHOTO RECEIVED FROM Joe Murphy/TEMPLE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS)
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) Being the only ranked team in the AAC, Houston headed home to prove why they deserve a top ten ranking. Unfortunately for Temple, the Cougars came out ready and played nearly perfect basketball in the second half. Scoring 51 in the second while also going on a 22-3 run led the Cougars to the huge win.
Even sophomore guard Ryan Elvin got an isolation situation in the final minute of regulation, nailing a three to capitalize the win.
Let's start your morning with @RyanElvin12's 3️⃣ from Thursday's win over Temple#ForTheCity x #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/gTVrRQR7IN
— Houston Men's Hoops 🏀 🐾 (@UHCougarMBK) March 4, 2022
Even with Houston shooting just 6-14 from the free-throw line, they shot 52% from the field and 40% from three on 25 attempts. Forward Fabian White Jr. led the way with 26 points, six rebounds, and two steals while shooting 11-18 from the field and 3-6 from three.
Houston had a great all-around game, with everyone playing their part. Lead guard Jamal Shead had a perfect game, with ten points, 13 assists, four rebounds, and three steals. Taze Moore had a very efficient 19 points, four rebounds, and four assists. In just 19 minutes, Josh Carlton dominated the paint with 11 points and eight rebounds, seven offensive.
Temple struggled to put the ball in the basket, with only two players in double digits. Both Nick Jourdain and Jahlil White scored ten points off the bench. Zach Hicks also contributed eight points while shooting 2-3 from three.
Owls cut in to the Cougars lead thanks to some sharp shooting by Zach Hicks@zhicks1231 pic.twitter.com/G36896huZm
— Temple Men's Basketball (@TUMBBHoops) March 4, 2022
Starting guards Tai Strickland, Damian Dunn, and Hysier Miller shot terribly, combining for 11 points on 3-18 from the field (0-4 from three). Houston’s perimeter defense was smothering Temple’s offensive schemes, which usually thrives on quick guard play.
Twenty-four assists on 34 made almost sounds too good to be accurate, but that’s precisely how the Cougars won. They played excellent team basketball while only committing 11 turnovers. This win gives Houston great confidence heading into the conference tournament, as they are looking to make another deep playoff run in March Madness.
Getting his first start in a while, Sage Tolbert was a small bright spot in the loss. He scored just seven points and four rebounds in 16 minutes but was able to get to the line three times, converting 5-6 attempts.
After a mini altercation between Arashma Parks and Taze Moore after a beautiful off-the-backboard alley-oop, Houston got the crowd involved, and the game should’ve just been called. Houston had all the momentum, and there was nothing possible AAC COTY Aaron McKie could’ve done.
You're going to see this on SportsCenter tonight @TazeMoore ‼️👀#ForTheCity x #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/bhC7hBfXn3
— Houston Men's Hoops 🏀 🐾 (@UHCougarMBK) March 4, 2022
Temple finishes their conference play, Sunday, March 6th, home against the 3-14 South Florida Bulls. With a Temple win and Tulane loss, the Owls would head into the AAC Tournament ranked fourth, receiving a first-round bye.
