Temple Falls to Memphis on a Buzzer Beater

Kendric Davis Jumper Goes Through The Net as the Horn Sounds

PHILADELPHIA, PA. 1/15/2023 –

In a game where both offenses struggled the game would be decided by the two most exciting offensive plays. Those plays came in the last 4.8 seconds. Damian Dunn tied the game for Temple with a three-pointer. Kendric Davis, the team leading scorer, answered for Memphis off an inbounds play that started with 2.1 ticks on the clock. Davis lofted a turning, baseline jumper that went in with no time on the clock. Memphis wins 61 – 59 at the Liacouras Center.

The Final Sequence

The last two minutes had the dynamic and critical plays of the game. The Memphis Tigers were clinging to a 55 – 53 lead. They tried to take control, but a layup attempt Elijah McCadden was blocked by Owls forward Nick Jourdain. The Owls took the ball down the floor and went ahead on a three-pointer by Khalif Battle, his team’s leading scorer, as 1:45 showed on the clock. Twelve seconds later Davis got to the basket and made a layup, Memphis by one. After Temple had two chances, Memphis one. Both shots were misses.

At the 12.9 second mark Tigers forward DeAndre Williams converted two from the line for two free throws and a 59 – 56 lead. On the ensuing possession Dunn was open in the corner and hit a game-tying three with 4.8 seconds to go. Davis took the ball down the court for Memphis. Coach Penny Hardaway called timeout at the 2.1 second mark. The Tigers were awarded the inbounds pass from the baseline, not the sideline. Hardaway drew up a play the saw Davis cut to an open corner. He turned and lofted the game-winner. Jourdain said there was not much more they could do on defense.

“We talked all week on staying solid on him,” Jourdain said. “He likes to jump up and draw fouls with his pump fakes. I stuck solid with that game and stayed solid on that shot.”

“A great player got it going in the second half,” Temple Coach Aaron McKie said. “Those are the sort of things that happen when you put yourself in those situations. So that’s the end result.”

Defense a Plus

The offense was not glittering for the Cherry and White, but they did feel they played very well on defense and will build upon that.

“We talked about playing with our edge and being competitive on the defensive end first,” Dunn said. “I think we took a big step forward today with just playing a complete forty minute game which is playing solid defense. As long as we stick to that and stay grounded with that, I think we’ll be fine.”

Turnovers a Minus

Not an offensive showpiece for either squad. The Tigers made 22 of 58 shots (37.9%) and went 4 of 23 from beyond the arc. The Owls shot 27 of 58 (29.3%) and made 4 of 29 from distance. Turnovers turned out to be a nemesis for Temple who committed 17 that lead to 22 Memphis points.

“You’re going to have games where you miss shots,” said McKie. “But it’s the turnovers. It was more self inflicted. To me that’s the frustrating part.”

What the Numbers Said

Davis scored a team-high tying 20 points for Memphis (13 – 5, 3 – 2) joined by Williams, who also took down 9 rebounds. The Tigers had only 9 available players for the game.

Temple had won 4 of their last 5 and now are 10 – 9 overall and 4 – 2 in the American. Dunn scored a game-high 23 points with 10 coming from the charity stripe. Jahlil White took down a game-best 11 rebounds. Jourdain scored 16 points and grabbed 10 boards for his first double-double of the season and second of his career.

Temple hosts East Carolina on Wednesday.

Boxscore

Written By: Glenn Papazian

Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

Damian Dunn

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