2015 NIT Quarterfinals: Temple's MSG-bound after defeating Louisiana Tech, 77-59
March 25, 2015
By Scott S.D. Weiss
?PHILADELPHIA- The Temple Owls made sure people would pay attention to them after a 25-point nonconference victory against ninth-ranked Kansas on Dec. 22, 2014 at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center. After completions of conference tournaments, the Owls hoped a 23-10 overall record, including 13-5 in the American Athletic Conference, would be enough for a berth in the 2015 NCAA Division 1 men's basketball tournament.
While Kansas earned the two seed in the Midwest region of the Big Dance, the Owls were the first team out and settled for the top overall seed in the National Invitation Tournament. However, the Jayhawks packed their bags after a round of 32 Big Dance loss to seventh-seeded Wichita State. The Owls, meanwhile, continue playing on the court.
Quenton DeCosey deposited 21 points on seven of 11 shooting and pulled down 11 rebounds, Jesse Morgan tallied 17 points, and Will Cummings swished a few three-pointers and 15 points as the top-seeded Owls defeated visiting third-seeded Louisiana Tech, 77-59, on March 25 in the NIT quarterfinals; an estimated 3,906 spectators witnessed Temple's victory at the Liacouras Center. The Bulldogs received 14 points from Erik McCree and 10 points apiece from Michale Kyser and Raheem Appleby.
It's the Owls' second consecitive game in which they never trailed during the entire 40 minutes; Temple led from the start in its 90-77 second round NIT victory against fifth-seeded George Washington. Temple (26-10) advances to the NIT semifinals as it faces second-seeded Miami (Florida) on March 31 at New York's Madison Square Garden; the Hurricanes earned their trip to New York after a 63-61 quarterfinal victory at one seed Richmond on March 24.
DeCosey posted the game's first five points on a jumper and a trey. The Bulldogs pulled within one, 8-7, but couldn't connect on their field goals and wouldn't rally to one possession behind for the remainder of the contest. Jaylen Bond provided a 10-point lead (23-13) for Temple on a downtown shot; it was Bond's 10th swished three-pointer in 46 attempts. While the Owls pulled down 39 rebounds (nine offensive), the Bulldogs mustered 32 boards.
After 20 minutes, Temple entered the locker room with a 41-33 advantage. Although the Bulldogs started the second half within three possessions, the Cherry Crusade (Temple's student section) couldn't be quieted with various cheers and chants. Louisiana Tech pulled within five points to start the second half but Morgan ignited the Cherry Crusade's energy by knocking down two treys as part of a 12-4 Temple run as the Owls led by more than 10 for the remainder of the contest.
Louisiana Tech's Speedy Smith, the Conference USA player of the year, sustained an injury while driving to the basket with 12 minutes to play in the second half. Smith was carried to the locker room by two members of the Bulldogs' staff after collecting five assists and eight points.
The Bulldogs (27-9) empty their lockers after being eliminated from the NIT. Louisiana Tech reached the quarterfinals for the second consecutive season by posting vicories versus six seed Central Michigan (89-79 in the first round) and at second-seeded Texas A&M (84-72 in round two).
This was the second meeting this season between the Bulldogs and Owls. Temple hosted Louisiana Tech on Dec. 17, 2014, defeating the Bulldogs by seven (82-75). Morgan and Devon Coleman sat out that game due to transfer rules (they missed the Owls' first 10 games) and Bond was out with an ankle injury. The Bulldogs and Owls never faced each other before this season.
Scott S.D. Weiss has reported for AXS.com and the defunct Examiner.com. He can be contacted at [email protected]
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