Owls Soar Past Shockers in a Close Encounter at Liacouras Center
In a tightly contested conference game, the Temple Owls emerged victorious over the Wichita State Shockers with a final score of 68-61. The Owls' season record now stands at an impressive 13-5, while the Shockers fall to 9-9.
The Liacouras Center was abuzz as fans witnessed the Temple Owls display remarkable tenacity on their home court. The first half saw the Owls take charge with an assertive performance, ending it with a nine-point lead over the Shockers. This initial momentum was crucial for setting up what would be a nail-biting second half.
The Temple team's defensive efforts were particularly noteworthy, as they amassed 14 steals throughout the game compared to Wichita State's 12. These defensive plays were instrumental in disrupting Wichita State's rhythm and contributed significantly to their total of 18 turnovers.
On offense, both teams had similar field goal percentages at around 38 percent each; however, it was Temple's three-point shooting that made a difference. They managed to sink 12 out of their 37 attempts from beyond the arc – translating into a solid three-point percentage of about one-third success rate – which proved pivotal in stretching their lead.
Temple also capitalized on Wichita State's mistakes by scoring 17 points off turnovers while keeping their own turnovers slightly lower at fifteen. Moreover, they edged out in fast break points with twelve against Wichita State’s nine and secured ten second-chance points thanks to offensive rebounds and persistent play.
One area where Wichita State excelled was inside scoring; they racked up an impressive total of thirty-six points in paint due largely to aggressive two-point attempts which accounted for forty-two percent accuracy compared to Temple’s forty-five percent from closer range shots.
Despite being outnumbered on blocks seven-to-two and trailing slightly behind in assists turnover ratio (0.72 for Wichita versus Temple’s higher ratio of approximately nine-tenths), it was clear that every Owl on court played with determination and focus throughout all four quarters.
Looking ahead after this hard-fought win, fans can anticipate another exciting matchup as the Temple Owls prepare to host East Carolina Pirates at Liacouras Center on January tenth at seven PM Eastern Time. The game will be available for viewing online via ESPN+. Supporters are sure not only eager but also hopeful that their team can continue this winning streak right into their next contest.