SMU Tops Temple

via SMU

PHILADELPHIA (AP) —  Semi Ojeleye scored a career-high 30 points and added 10 rebounds to lead No. 25 SMU past Temple 66-50 on Thursday night for its seventh straight win.

Sterling Brown added 10 points and nine rebounds for the Mustangs (21-4, 11-1 American Athletic Conference), who earlier in the week vaulted into the national rankings for the first time this season.

One of the hottest teams in the nation, SMU has won 17 of its last 18.

Shizz Alston Jr. scored 13 points to lead the Owls (13-12, 4-8), who saw a modest two-game winning streak snapped. Quinton Rose had 12 points and Daniel Dingle finished with 10.

Trailing by as many as 15 points in the second half, Temple pulled within six with just under 8 minutes remaining. But Ojeleye answered with a big 3-pointer to stymie the Owls’ rally.

Ojeleye, a Duke transfer, also fueled a 16-1 SMU run in the first half with 10 points during the spurt. He started it with a thunderous dunk while being fouled by Mark Williams, who was called for a flagrant on the play.

The Mustangs, ranked third nationally in scoring defense, held the Owls without a field goal for more than 9 minutes during that stretch. For the game, Temple shot 31.5 percent from the field while committing 16 turnovers.

The Mustangs are back in action Sunday afternoon, Feb. 12, when they welcome No. 11 Cincinnati to Moody Coliseum. Tip-off for Sunday’s showdown is set for 3:00 p.m. CT and the game will be televised on ESPN.