The 35th annual Atlantic 10 tournament continues with a Big 5 matchup between Temple and La Salle. Pickin’ Splinters is court side bringing you scores, stats, analysis, insights – we might even get a quote or two from players or coaches.
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#2 Temple (14-2/24-6) vs. #10 La Salle (6-10/15-17)
The Owls won both meetings this year: 71-67 on February 2nd at the Tom Gola Arena, and 90-82 on March 5th at the Liacouras Center.
Temple’s starters
24 Lavoy Allen F Sr. 11.3 ppg. 8.1 rpg. 1.8 bpg.
32 Rahlir Jefferson F 6-6 So. 5.8 ppg. 5.3 rpg. .561 fg%
22 Aaron Brown G 6-5 Fr. 2.7 ppg. 0.9 rpg 8.0 mpg.
23 Ramone Moore G 6-4 Jr.. 14.7 ppg. 4.2 rpg. 3.3 apg.
4 Juan Fernandez G 6-4 Jr. 10.3 ppg. 2.9 rpg. 3.8 apg
La Salle’s starters
G 3 Tyreek Duren Fr. 6-0 9.6 2.8
G 5 Ruben Guillandeaux Sr. 12.5 2.9
G 23 Earl Pettis Jr. 9.3 4.1 2.6
F 20 Jerrell Williams Sr. 13.8 7.5 1.4
C 24 Aaric Murray So. 14.9 7.5
TU La Salle
70.0 Points Per Game 76.8
61.1 Opponents Points Per Game 77.9
+8.9 Point Differential -1.1
.446 Field Goal Percentage .442
.403 Field Goal Percentage Defense .446
5.9 3PT Per Game 6.1
.347 3PT Percentage .356
.340 Opp. 3PT Percentage .348
.692 Free Throw Percentage .711
36.4 Rebounds Per Game 39.0
+3.4 Rebound Margin +2.4
15.1 Assists Per Game 15.0
7.0 Steals Per Game 7.5
4.8 Blocks Per Game 4.1
11.3 Turnovers Per Game 15.5
+1.9 Turnover Margin -1.3
Back after some technical difficulties.
Timeout on the floor.
3:42 to go in the first.
Temple 36-24.
This despite La Salle having 17-10 advantage in rebounds.
Timeout on the floor. With just under a minute left in the first half, Temple leads by 10, 42-32.
A couple of attempts, but Temple doesn’t finish at the buzzer. The teams head to the locker rooms with Temple leading, 42-32.
Lavoy Allen has lead the way for the Owls with 10 points on 4 of 7 shooting, including 2 3 pointers.
Aaric Murray lead the way for Explorers with 10 points and 4 rebounds.
An easy way to find yourself down by 10 at the half – LaSalle already has 15 turnovers. The only reason the Explorers are in this game is because the Owls are shooting 42% from the field.
Second half is about to get under way and the Explorers will start with the ball.
Quick bucket by the Owls and LaSalle looks confused on defense. The Explorers call timeout to regroup.
Here come the Explorers!! Back to back 3 point plays ( one the old fashioned way) and the lead is cut to 4, 46-42.
Tough no-call on Murray and the Explorers forward is upset. Coaches are trying to settle him down. Too time to lose cool, as the Explorers are trying to come back.
Huge 3 pointer from the corner by Ramone Moore and the Owls are up 9
An answer from the Explorers and the lead is back to 6.
An answer from Moore again!!
Coach Giannini isn’t happy and is pleading with his players, “We need stops!! “
The Explorers won’t go away and a bucket by Guillandeaux brings the Explorers within 11, 61-50.
A 3 pointer and the foul!! Juan Fernandez is fouled shooting a 3 and this could be a major turning point in the game. Media timeout and the Owl lead, 66-52.
The timeout doesn’t phase Fernandez and he completes the 4 point play, 67-52.
A 3 pointer by Aaron Brown and the Owls have extended their lead to 20, 72-52.
The Explorers are imploding, as Murray picks up 2 fouls in a matter of 20 seconds. The Owls have extended their lead, 75-52.
Owls call timeout. Teams have traded buckets and the Owls lead 77-59.
A drive to the basket by Khalif Wyatt and the foul – and one!! Nice finish and the Owls lead is pushed back to 15, 83-68.
With 4:22 left, the Owls appear to be in the driver’s seat – but Coach Giannini is not allowing his Explorers to give up.
Khalif Wyatt with the 3 and the Owls extend the lead back to 19, 87-68.
Teams trade buckets and the Explorers can’t cut into the lead, trailing, 89-72.
With a little over 2 minutes to go, the Owls are content to run their offense and take time off the clock.
Aaric Murray seems to be a fan favorite. The Owls fans are singing his name – a similar scene in Olean, NY earlier this year. Either way, he seems to attract a lot of attention.
A 1:23 left and the Owls are cruising to victory leading, 94-76.
The clock runs down and it is a final. The Owls move on the semi-finals with a convincing 96-76 win.
No upset here, from the looks of it.
Pete – LaSalle tried to stick with the Owls, but Temple was too much. Temple is going to have a tough semi-final match so the easy win might do them some good.