Men's Basketball Outlasted Saturday by Temple on North Broad, 63-60

Saturday, December 16

Philadelphia, Pa.

5 p.m.

Drexel University

5-6

Temple

7-3

Drexel

Temple

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Men's Basketball Outlasted Saturday by Temple on North Broad, 63-60

12/16/2017 6:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - The Drexel men's basketball team clawed back Saturday from a deficit that got as big as 13 points in the first half, but the Temple Owls outlasted the Dragons in the end at the Liacouras Center, 63-60. The Dragons are now 5-6 on the year, while Temple improves to 7-3. Drexel had a chance to tie the game as time expired, but Kurk Lee's three fell short.

The Dragons trailed 48-40 with a little more than 12 minutes to go after a pair of free throws by Temple's Shizz Alton, Jr. Drexel scored the next four points and went on an 11-3 run to even the score at 51-51. Austin Williams tied the game on a dunk with 6:32 to play. Temple answered with a Quinton Rose jump shot, but the Dragons took their first lead since the opening minutes when Sammy Mojica nailed a three-pointer at the 2:24 mark. The Dragons got a stop and Alihan Demir had a long two-pointer go in and out as the lead remained at just one point. On the next possession, Ernest Aflakpui gave Temple the lead, but Austin Williams made one of two free throws, evening the score at 57-57 with 1:21 left. Temple scored the next four points to take the lead. Drexel called time and after the break Lee drained a three-pointer with just 15 ticks left on the clock. The Dragons committed two quick fouls to get into the penalty, and Obi Enechionyai was sent to the line. He made both free throws, with :11 to go, giving Temple the three-point lead. Drexel was able to get the ball into the frontcourt and Lee had a tough look from straight on that came up short.

Demir led the Dragons with a career-high 16 points. He also grabbed eight rebounds. Williams picked up his third double-double of the year with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Mojica chipped in with 11 points. Drexel's defense held Temple to just 39 percent from the floor and the Owls shot just 6-for-21 from long range. The Dragons did a nice job on the glass, snaring 14 offensive rebounds and outrebounding the Owls, 43-32, but made just five three pointers and missed five off their 10 free throw attempts.

Temple was led by Alston, who scored 12 points, but was held to just 4-for-12 shooting. Enechionyia, Aflakpui, Josh Brown, Alani Moore II and Damion Moore each scored eight points for Fran Dunphy's club. Enechionyia also grabbed nine boards and had a game-high five blocked shots.

The Dragons return to the DAC on Monday night when they host Quinnipiac at 7 p.m.