Nov. 29, 2007

Box Score |  Notes

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.-For the second consecutive game Ohio was pushed to the wire by a non-conference opponent, and once again found themselves on the wrong end of a buzzer-beating shot, falling 90-88 to the Temple Owls. Chris Clark knocked down a 3-pointer with two seconds remaining to give the Owls the victory in the first-ever hardwood meeting between the schools.

The Bobcats (2-2) fell despite a dominating performance and career high 31 points from senior forward Leon Williams. Ohio had four starters reach double figures as senior Bubba Walther and junior point guard Bert Whittington IV each had 15, and Jerome Tillman added 16 after missing Monday night's game against Holy Cross.

The game featured 15 ties and 26 lead changes.

All of Whittington's points came in the first half as he provided the majority of the early offense for Ohio, scoring 11 of their first 20 points.  Whittington's first half pace was matched by the Owls' Dionte Christmas who scored 16 of his 29 points in the opening half to lead the way for Temple (3-4). Senior forward Mark Tyndale added 26 points for the Owls.

The two teams traded baskets to begin the game with the Owls taking an early lead at 15-14. The Bobcats went on an 8-0 run that included two Whittington 3-pointers to open up a 22-15 lead. Temple responded with a 10-4 run to pull within one, 26-25. Whittington continued to be the first half spark plug for Ohio, scoring two more baskets and helping to re-open the lead. Christmas responded by knocking down consecutive shots from behind the arc as Temple finally regained the lead, 36-35, with 1:34 to play in the first half.

On the ensuing possession, Leon Williams was fouled while attempting to rebound a missed shot attempt.  Owls' coach Fran Dunphy was assessed a technical foul for arguing the call and both Walther and Williams knocked down their free throws to regain the lead at 39-36, as the Bobcats received a rare four-point trip down the court. A late Jerome Tillman 3-pointer gave Ohio a 42-38 lead heading into the locker room at halftime. Ohio shot 52% from the floor in the half, compared to 47% for Temple.

Ohio opened the second half strong with Williams scoring Ohio's first eight points, as the Bobcats pushed their lead to 50-44. Once again Temple responded and reclaimed the lead after a 9-2 run. The game moved back and forth with the teams exchanging baskets and leads. Williams continued to lead the Bobcats with 21 of his 31 points coming in the half.  

Williams' final basket of the game gave Ohio the lead at 85-84 with under a minute to play. Once again the Owls answered, knocking down a 3-pointer to pull back in front with under 30 seconds to play. Walther was then fouled while shooting from beyond the arc with 7.6 seconds on the clock and calmly knocked down all three high-pressure free throws to put Ohio back out in front 88-87. Following a timeout, Temple inbounded to Tyndale who drove the lane looking for the winning shot. He was cut off by Michael Allen, but Tyndale found Clark and passed the ball out to him for the game-winner.

Ohio finished the game shooting 49% from the field and 43% from behind the arc. The Owls shot 54% from 3-piont range, with Christmas making 7 of his 10 attempts. The Bobcats held the edge in rebounding, 32-29.

With 13 made free throws, Leon Williams passed Steve Skaggs for eighth on the Ohio career free throws made list. The Bobcats will continue their road trip and travel to Brooklyn, N.Y. to face St. Francis (N.Y.) University this Sunday, with the tip scheduled for 2:00 p.m.