Tulane University vs Temple University: did overtime free throws and fourth-quarter pace decide it at Legacy Arena at BJCC?

Tulane University entered the American First Round game with a 17-16 mark, and Temple University brought a 19-14 record into the neutral-site matchup at 3:30 PM EDT on ESPN+. Temple finished with an 86-77 result after overtime, and the Green Wave left Birmingham with a 23-foul night and 22 turnovers in the tournament opener.

First quarter

The Green Wave opened with 8 points in the first quarter while the Owls scored 10, with both teams combining for 21 total rebounds in the period as Temple began the game with a size edge that showed up later in a 47-38 rebounding margin. Tulane generated early transition offense that contributed to 19 fast break points in the game, while Temple’s perimeter looks foreshadowed a 12-made-3 total on 40 percent shooting from deep.

Second quarter

Temple’s 25-point second quarter created separation, and the Owls used 11 steals overall to speed up Tulane’s ballhandling into a 22-turnover night. Tulane stayed connected at the line with 27 free throws made on 84 percent, and Mecailin Marshall’s 25 points from the previous game set the standard for the Green Wave’s scoring punch as Tulane leaned into paint touches that ended as 38 points in the paint.

Third quarter

Tulane put up 18 points in the third quarter, and the Green Wave’s defense added to a 10-steal game that helped produce 19 points off turnovers. Temple’s offense stayed afloat with ball movement that finished at 15 assists, and the Owls kept second chances available behind 14 offensive rebounds even as they shot 32 percent overall from the field.

Fourth quarter

The Green Wave’s 31 points in the fourth quarter flipped the flow late, and Tulane’s shot profile in the rally mixed 45 percent on 2-point attempts with a 32-free-throw attack that kept pressure on Temple’s front line. The Tulane Green Wave vs Temple Owls turning point came as Temple matched that surge with 19 fourth-quarter points and kept the math advantage with 3-point volume that reached 30 attempts.

Overtime

Temple’s 16 points in overtime outweighed Tulane’s 7, and the Owls’ 85 percent work at the stripe on 33 attempts steadied the extra session. The Tulane Green Wave vs Temple Owls match summary reflected a Green Wave push built on free throw efficiency and fourth-quarter pace, but Temple’s 20 points off turnovers and plus-9 plus-minus line in the team stats closed the game at Legacy Arena at BJCC.

After the horn

The Green Wave finished with 11 assists and a 0.5 assist-to-turnover ratio, while Temple posted 15 assists and a 0.88 assist-to-turnover ratio. The Tulane Green Wave coach post-game reaction centered on the team’s ability to force 17 Temple turnovers while managing its own 22, and the Tulane Green Wave vs Temple Owls scoreline review also captured Temple’s edge in total rebounds at 47 and made 3-pointers at 12. Keep it locked for the next Tulane University broadcast window, and share this article with other Green Wave fans.