Temple Looks to Bounce Back Against Tulsa Wednesday

Temple Men’s Basketball (8-9, 1-5)  has lost six of their last seven games, dropped to tenth place in the American Athletic Conference, and just lost in overtime to Memphis off a heartbreaking buzzer. The Owls need to find a way to bounce back against Tulsa (10-8, 3-3)  at home on Wednesday, January 17. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on ESPNews and 1210 AM WPHT.

Hopefully the support of their home fans at the Liacouras Center will help will Temple to a much needed win. Coming in at 8-9, 1-5 in conference play, Temple has had several games they lost in the final minutes or even worse, seconds. They need to find ways to close out games. As time is winding down and they have a lead, Temple needs to find ways to continue to score and defensively get stops. Historically, throughout the season mistakes down the stretch have cost them the win.

Freshman Nate Pierre-Louis comes into the game off a career-high 23 points along with three steals and five rebounds. Junior Shizz Alston Jr. was the second highest scorer with 19 points on 5-of-8 shooting from long range. Junior Ernest Aflakpui also had a career-high game with 11 boards to go along with six points. Senior Obi Enechionyia had his fifth career double-double with 11 points, and 10 rebounds. Despite all the players contributing, Temple still managed to let another game slip away.

Tulsa also comes into the game off a loss after dropping a 72-69 result to number five Wichita State on Saturday. Sterling Taplin had a career-high 26 points, seven assists in the home loss. Corey Henderson Jr. chipped in with 14 and Junior Etou with 12.

The Golden Hurricane outscored WSU in the paint, led for most of the first half, and shot nearly 50 percent from the field in the loss.

Tulsa has dropped their last three games, including a loss to Memphis on January 6. Both Temple and Tulsa come into Wednesday’s game off close losses to tough teams. Temple lost on a buzzer beater in overtime. For the visiting Golden Hurricane, Tulsa missed a three pointer in the final seconds of regulation against the Shockers that would have tied up the game to force overtime.

It is a bounce back game for both team. Temple looks to get a much needed conference win to take down Tulsa, who is sitting in seventh place in the American with a 3-3 record.