End of an era at Temple as Owls fall in First Four

The Temple Owls received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. They were placed in a First Four matchup against the Belmont Bruins.

The Owls would be charged with slowing down the Bruins high-powered offense which entered the tournament second in the nation at 87.4 points per game. Temple did a nice job in the first half, entering the break down just 37-31.

After the Bruins extended their lead by scoring the first two baskets in the second half, the Owls went on a run. Shizz Alston Jr. hit three 3-pointers and Temple went ahead 50-46. Alston led the Owls with 21 on Tuesday night, his ninth straight game with 20 or more points.

The lead however did not last long. Belmont went on a 16-3 run and never looked back.

Kevin McClain scored a game high 29 points to lead the scoring for the Bruins.

The 81-70 defeat was the final game for Temple head coach Fran Dunphy. Dunphy is handing over the reigns of the program after his 13th season at Temple. His legacy will remain not only at Temple, but throughout Philadelphia basketball. He has touched everything from high school basketball to just about every Big 5 team. Fran Dunphy is Philadelphia basketball.

Dunphy is 580-324 with 17 NCAA Tournament appearances during his coaching career. Former Temple and Philadelphia 76ers star Aaron McKie will now lead the Owls program.