(PHOTO RECEIVED FROM HEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer)
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) Missing top players in Jeremiah Williams and Damian Dunn, freshman Hysier Miller and Quincy Ademokoya got a chance to start. Even with scoring 83 points, Temple’s defense couldn’t stop anyone, allowing the Green Wave to put up 92 in the loss.
With just ten seconds remaining, Tai Strickland went to the line and proceeded to knock down two free throws, giving the Owls a 71-68 lead. After a timeout, Sion James brought the ball up the court. Jaylen Forbes set a loose screen on Zach Hicks, who had James as his assignment. Strickland, guarding Forbes, expected Hicks to switch onto Forbes but ended up doubling James at the top of the key.
James made an easy read, finding Forbes wide open on the right-wing, who knocked down the game-tying three with two seconds remaining.
No. Quit.#RollWave pic.twitter.com/tmU3GgOCad
— Tulane Men's Basketball (@GreenWaveMBB) February 12, 2022
Up by three with just over a minute left in overtime, Tulane found themselves up three with ten seconds on the shot clock. Forbes had the ball in the right corner, being defended by Temple’s best perimeter defender in Jahlil White. Hysier Miller had just missed a three on the other end, allowing Tulane to make it a two-possession game.
Jaden Coleman, who had 14 points, ran past two teammates to the right-wing from the left corner. Forbes found him, and without hesitation, Coleman nailed a heavily contested three over Tai Strickland to seal the win.
That is one cold man. This place is ALIVE right now!#RollWave pic.twitter.com/fS8NzlG2dh
— Tulane Men's Basketball (@GreenWaveMBB) February 12, 2022
Getting his first actual minutes of the season, Quincy Ademokoya, in 35 minutes, had a productive offensive night. He scored 15 points on 5-13 from the field, although fouling out with just under two minutes left in overtime. With Temple shooting 30.3% from three, marking them second-worst in the AAC, Ademokoya is a great spark plug/shooter to bring off the bench.
Career day for Q. He has 14 points so far. Tulane leads 54 – 51 at the media timeout with 10:28 left in the half@2kQuincy pic.twitter.com/aPAjz7qO0m
— Temple Men's Basketball (@TUMBBHoops) February 12, 2022
Zach Hicks had a fantastic night of shooting off the bench, leading the Owls with 21 points, including 5-11 from three. He also added seven rebounds and two blocks to his stat sheet. Hicks showed remarkable poise down the stretch and has proven to be the Owl’s sixth man.
With all the injuries, Coach McKie elected to bring Tai Strickland off the bench, who had a fantastic game in just 25 minutes. He finished with 15 points and five assists, along with committing just one turnover. Strickland brings incredible energy and all-around leadership to the second unit.
Tulane executed their offensive plan perfectly, allowing four players in the starting five to score 15+ points. They drew fouls, got rebounds, and shot well from the field, all aspects that go hand-in-hand with winning. Jaylen Forbes led the Green Wave in the box with 25 points on 7-10 from the floor. Sion James followed him, scoring 18 points, including two threes.
Temple needs to be more disciplined on the defensive side of the ball, even with their anchor Jeremiah Williams out. The Owls continually found themselves in foul trouble with three players fouling out. In just ten minutes on the court, junior Sage Tolbert III committed five fouls. These fouls allowed the Green Wave to convert 12 more free throws than Temple, ultimately deciding on the win.
After losing in back-to-back games, Temple is fifth in the AAC with a 6-5 conference record. After the win, Tulane jumps to fourth in the AAC with their eyes set on Memphis, who is on a six-game win streak.
NEXT UP
Temple heads back to Philadelphia to face against the 9-2 SMU Mustangs. Their last meeting resulted in a 69-61 victory for SMU. Damian Dunn (Ankle) and Jeremiah Williams (Shoulder) are game-time decisions.
