City of Basketball Love

Stephen Pianovich (@SPianovich)
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In the first game of a Big 5 doubleheader, Temple handled its business against an undermanned La Salle team, beating the Explorers, 62-49.

At first…
Temple was in control for most of the first half, and the Owls led by as many as 15 before the intermission. Temple got four quick points from Jaylen Bond, and Trey Lowe scored eight points in the first half to help build a 33-25 halftime lead. La Salle stayed relatively close thanks to a combined 21 points from Tony Washington and Cleon Roberts.

Turning point…
Devin Coleman’s jumper with 10 minutes left put Temple up 48-35, capping a mini 4-0 run for the Owls, which kept the Explorers out of reach. La Salle hung around and narrowed the lead to seven in the last 10 minutes, but Temple never seemed in serious jeopardy of losing the lead.

Shining stars…
Washington had a 14 points and added 12 rebounds for La Salle. The sophomore forward has been La Salle’s only available big man in the last three weeks due to injuries, and Wednesday was one of the best performances of his career.

Quenton DeCosey and Josh Brown evenly split 24 points for the Owls.

Noteworthy numbers…
Temple shot 53.8 percent in the first half, going 14-for-26 from the field. …La Salle's Jordan Price was limited to just 11 points, and in two games at the Palestra this season, Price -- the Explorers' leading scorer -- has combined for 17 points.

Up next…
Temple (10-7) vs. No. 10 SMU (Jan. 23, 8 p.m.)
La Salle (5-11) vs. St. Joe’s (Jan. 23, 4 p.m.)