City of Basketball Love

Teddy Bailey (@TheTeddyBailey)
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The Owls were tasked with yet another challenge on Saturday afternoon, as Temple traveled to Madison, Wisc. to face the Wisconsin Badgers. Despite clawing back in the beginning of the second half, the Badgers dominated inside during the second half as Temple fell to Wisconsin, 76-60 at the Kohl Center.

At first …
Wisconsin led by just 11-10 after the first nine minutes as four different Owls scored early. The Badgers struggled to solve Temple’s defensive pressure, turning the ball over three times midway through the first half. Wisconsin would go on to a 19-2 run and create separation before the Owls closed the half on a 14-7 spurt to trail by just eleven points at halftime. Freshman guard Levan Alston Jr. and senior forward Jaylen Bond both scored eight points in the opening frame.

Turning point …
The Badgers looked flustered out of halftime, and the Owls took advantage of another cold Wisconsin start, going on an 8-2 run to claw within 39-34 with 17:38 to play. Bond scored a pair of baskets to get Temple going early on in the second half. Wisconsin would be able to pull away for good, sparking a 13-0 run and keeping the Owls scoreless for over four minutes of play. Junior forward Nigel Hayes scored six of those points for the Badgers, who dominated inside.

Shining stars …
Despite the loss, Jaylen Bond tallied his second double-double of the season, as the 6-foot-8 forward scored 12 points and grabbed ten rebounds in the losing effort. Bond’s 12 points came on 6-of-13 shooting in an efficient performance. Two other Owls finished in double-figure scoring, as Alston Jr. and fellow freshman Trey Lowe added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Wisconsin’s Nigel Hayes and junior guard Bronson Koenig led the Badgers to yet another win at home. Hayes finished in double-double figures, scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds, both were game-highs. Koenig added 17 points, 11 tallied in the second-half, and knocked down three 3-pointers to help Wisconsin spark second-half runs.

Noteworthy numbers …
Wisconsin dominated Temple inside, outscoring the Owls 30 to 18 in the paint. The rebounding edge was also in the Badgers’ way, as Hayes led Wisconsin to a 38-29 advantage on the boards.

Up next …
Temple (3-4) @ Penn (4-3) (Dec. 9, 7 PM)
Wisconsin (6-3) vs. Milwaukee (6-3) (Dec. 9, 8 PM)