Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Temple
Xavier Men Fall At No. 16/17 Temple 77-72
01.20.10 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 20, 2010
PHILADELPHIA – Both Xavier and No. 16/17 Temple were looking to remain unbeaten in Atlantic 10 Conference and in the end it was Temple who came out on top 77-72 Wednesday night at the Liacouras Center. With the loss, the Musketeers fall to 12-6 overall and 4-1 in A-10 play. The Owls improved to 16-3 overall and 4-0 in the Atlantic 10.
The Musketeers made things interesting in the final minute, by cutting into the Temple lead. Brad Redford hit a 3-pointer from the wing with 55 seconds left in the game to cut the score to 70-65 in favor of the Owls. Redford struck again at the 23.4 mark with a three from the corner that brought the Musketeers within three, 71-68.
Temple managed to hit clutch free throws in the final seconds to seal the win.
Sophomore Jordan Crawford led the Musketeers in scoring with 18 points. Senior Jason Love posted 16 points in his hometown on a stellar 6-of-6 performance from the field.
Temple shot an outstanding 59.2 percent from the field while the Musketeers hit 46.6 percent of their shots. XU won the rebounding battle 29-23 with Love leading the Musketeers with eight boards.
Xavier took a 48-47 lead when Crawford hit a long 3-pointer with 14:55 left in the game but the Owls quickly rebounded and retook the lead on a Juan Fernandez 3-ball at the 13:51 mark.
Xavier trailed 39-34 at halftime. The Musketeers held a 13-10 lead at the 14:44 mark in the first half but the Owls managed to retake the lead on a Lavoy Allen layup at the 12:54 mark.
Temple managed to hold off the Musketeers for the remainder of the half. Holloway led the Musketeers in scoring in the first period with 17 points on 2-of-5 from the field and 1-of-2 from the free throw line.
Crawford posted 16 first half points and Love followed with 15 points on 5-of-5 from the field. Allen and Ramone Moore each tallied 19 first half points with Ryan Brooks following with 18.
Xavier will return to action Saturday, January 23 as the Musketeers welcome Rhode Island to the Cintas Center. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. and the game will be televised on Fox Sports Ohio
