Temple suffers first home loss to Missouri

By: Owen Boyle

Turnovers and a lack of three-point shooting proves costly, as the Owls fall at home 64-54 to Missouri.

Temple turned the ball over 19 times, with two crucial ones coming late in the contest. The Owls were 2 for 21 from beyond the arc, a season low. With the loss, the Owls fall to 6-2 on the season. 

The game started off slow with both teams combining for just 12 points in the opening seven minutes. The Tigers dominated most of the first-half, with the team shooting 44% from the field and 33% from three.

The Owls battled back numerous times in the first led by senior captain Quinton Rose who finished the night with 10 points. Missouri guard Dru Smith hit a late 3-pointer extending the Tigers lead to six heading into the half.

The Owls came out with more intent and fight in the second-half. Monty Scott started the comeback with a three pointer cutting the lead to three. This was Temple’s first deep ball of the game. Prior to Scott’s, the Owls were 0 for 9 from 3. Temple went on a 9-0 run which ended in two made free throws courtesy of Nate Pierre-Louis.

A bright spot for the Owls was their performance at the free throw line. The team had averaged 13 made free throws per game. Tonight, they made a total of 18 and shot 69% from the line. Nate Pierre-Louis cashed in from the stripe going 8 -10 while Jake Forrester added five on seven attempts.

Sophomore Jake Forrester made his home debut tonight for Temple. The Harrisburg, PA native received an NCAA waiver to make him eligible for competition back on November 26th. Forrester, a transfer player from Indiana, is averaging 5.3 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per game.

The ladder stage of the second-half was a close, physical battle between both sides. The Tigers ended up going on a 9-2 run over a span of three and a half minutes to take the lead. Missouri never looked back from there, increasing their lead as time dwindled down. Two costly turnovers by Moorman II and Rose sealed the victory for Mizzou. 

“The turnovers were all on us, we were careless with the ball,” said Rose.

Temple finished the game with a season-high 19 turnovers.

“We are a very defensive minded team, tonight we were in the right position to create turnovers and steals,” Smith said.

Rose, the star for the Owls and the first half’s leading scorer, was held to just 6 points throughout the final frame. Tigers coach Cuonzo Martin credited Javon Pickett for his defensive duties against Rose

“Javon played with confidence on defense which helped shut Rose down in the second-half,” said Martin.

Temple will have a quick turnaround, as they look to bounce back hosting Big 5 rival Saint Joseph’s on Tuesday for a 7 pm tipoff. The Hawks come into the matchup 2-8 and are led by junior Ryan Daly, averaging 21 points per game.