Temple Could Not Overcome a Late Push By Florida Atlantic University
PHILADELPHIA, PA 2/16/2025 –
A meeting of the Owls took place on the Liacouras Center court, the first time the Temple Owls and the Florida Atlantic University Owls played in Philadelphia. The teams came in on opposite trends as Temple hoped to end a losing streak while FAU wanted to continue a winning streak. The trends hold as Temple could not overcome a late flurry by Florida Atlantic University and falls 83 – 81.
“Obviously, not the result we want,” said Temple Coach Adam Fisher. “We’ve hit a little adversity. Nobody feels bad for us. We got to stay together. We got to get better. There are some good things to take away from this game. But our attention to detail has got to be a bit better.”
The Ending
The Cherry and White held a lead in the second half. FAU chipped away and took a 76 – 75 lead with 1:43 to play on a fast break layup by Leland Walker. The advantage changes 9 times during the game, so Temple readied itself for an ending comeback. But the hosts turned the ball over on the next two possessions. FAU got the next basket with 38 seconds on the clock. With 18.9 ticks remaining Temple’s Steve Settle III went to the foul line. He made the first, but missed the second. On the rebound the ball was knocked out of bounds. The officials awarded Temple the ball, but they went to the monitors. After a lengthy review the call was overturned and FAU got possession, and the clock was set to 18.5 seconds. Fisher had much to discuss in the huddle.
“It’s unique thing,” Fisher observed. “We wanted to make sure a, if this is our ball, this is the baseline out of bounds we’re going to run. Now, we got to shift gears. This is how we are going to defend, and we got to go foul. This is what we are going to run offensively next time, so we make sure we’re all on the same page.”
FAU got the rest of their points at the foul line. Temple tried to respond getting a basket and a traditional three-point play from Quante Berry to get to with a point with just over 5 seconds to play. Niccolo Moretti made a free throw for the final points of the game. His miss on the second free throw allowed Temple one more chance, but Settle III could not make a miracle three from halfcourt at the horn.
The Key Runs
While the teams played without getting significant separation, Temple was in position to take control of the game at the start of the second half with a 15 – 8 run and a double digit lead at 53 – 43 at the 11:47 mark. In that span Temple got 9 straight points within half on three-point baskets by Settle and Aiden Tobiason.
FAU did not let Temple get away. Once the Temple advantage was wiped away, the Temple edge stood at 75 – 68 with 3:57 remaining, FAU heated up scoring 10 consecutive points in nearly two minutes keyed by Walker who scored half of those points.
Temple Played Without Jamal Mashburn Jr.
Temple leading scorer Jamal Mashburn Jr. did not play due to injury. Five players scored in double figures for the hosts led by Settle III who had 18 points. Berry added 14 points while Elijah Gray and Shane Dezonie each scored 11 points. Babatunde Durodola contributed 10 points. But it is an uphill task to overcome to not have a scorer and leader who averages 22 points per game.
“Jamal is a great player,” said Settle III. “Anytime we’re missing the leaders of the organization we’re missing his presence, his leadership, the way you can command the ball, get a bucket, all aspects of him. But he’s been great on the bench. We got to try to hold it down for him and continue to get better.”
What the Numbers Say
Temple thought they had a 40 – 35 halftime lead. During the intermission the officials reviewed a goal tending call on a basket by Dezonie. They overturned the call and took 2 points away from Temple. The final margin of victory was two points.
The game had a total of 34 fouls including a technical. Temple had 26 fouls to 19 for FAU. The visitors went to the free throw line 35 times making 28 compared to 21 of 26 for the hosts.
Kaleb Glenn scored a team-high 17 points. Walker contributed 12 points while Moretti added 11. Forwards Tre Carroll scored 16 points and took down 7 rebounds and Matas Vokietalitis had 11 points and 7 caroms.
Up Next
Temple (14 – 12, 6 – 7) goes to Charlotte midweek hoping to end the four-game skid. FAU (15 – 10, 8 – 4) looks to extend their five-game winning streak hosting Wichita State.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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