Temple’s first win reveals a familiar challenge from last season: Finishing games ‘the right way’
A first glance at Adam Fisher’s squad showed a deeper rotation and steady presence from Gavin Griffiths, but Central Connecticut State outscored Temple after halftime as the Owls settled offensively.
Temple’s nonconference schedule will provide opportunities to measure how far coach Adam Fisher’s rebuilt men’s basketball program has come. Monday night’s season opener against Central Connecticut State offered the first glimpse.
The Blue Devils entered the season following an 18-12 campaign and a second-place finish in the Northeast Conference. Picked to finish tied for third in the league’s preseason poll, Central Connecticut State presented an early test for Temple’s new-look roster.
With nine incoming transfers, an emphasis on defensive pressure and a deeper rotation surrounding returning standouts Derrian Ford and Gavin Griffiths, the Owls had plenty to evaluate.
» READ MORE: Another year, another new-look Temple team. Adam Fisher sees something different.
Temple opened on a 17-0 run, held Central Connecticut State to 20% shooting before halftime, and earned a 68-56 victory at the Liacouras Center.
However, the Blue Devils outscored Temple, 40-32, after halftime, exposing some of the challenges facing Fisher’s revamped team.
“We’ve got to figure out, again, [how] to attack and finish out games the right way and play Temple basketball for 40 minutes,” Fisher said.
The Owls return to action Sunday at 5 p.m. against Richmond at the Palestra.
Griffiths provides versatility
Griffiths finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, providing a steady presence as Temple experimented with different rotations.
The 6-foot-7 senior made two three-pointers and finished 4-for-11 from the field in 29 minutes.
His performance built on a productive first year with the Owls, when he averaged 10.1 points and 4.9 rebounds after transferring from Nebraska.
Griffiths also made 63 three-pointers and blocked 53 shots last season, becoming the only Division I player to record at least 60 threes and 50 blocks.
His combination of perimeter shooting and interior defense gives Temple flexibility on both ends.
“Because I’m tall and I have a quick release, it affects defenses a lot because they have to pull over to my side,” Griffiths said before the season. “That allows our guards to really get downhill and make plays.”
Fisher wants Griffiths to become a more consistent rebounder and embrace a larger leadership role as the newcomers adjust.
“I thought Gavin Griffiths was really steady,” Fisher said.
A deeper rotation
Fisher’s new approach this season emphasizes defensive pressure, faster play, and frequent substitutions to maintain intensity.
Temple started Griffiths alongside transfers Jordan Marsh, Cam Scott, Dez White, and Christian Beam.
Marsh, who transferred from Southern California, opened the scoring with consecutive three-pointers and helped establish Temple’s early advantage.
He finished with a team-high 16 points, four assists, and two steals, repeatedly creating opportunities with his speed and defensive activity.
“He’s electric,” Fisher said. “The speed he has with the basketball. He makes the defense have to put on a lot of pressure.”
Temple forced 12 turnovers, converted them into 17 points, and scored 21 fast-break points.
The frontcourt also demonstrated its versatility. Beam, a 7-1 center, started and provided early rim protection, while UTSA transfer Baboucarr Njie contributed eight points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks off the bench.
Ford, Temple’s leading scorer last season, entered with 16 minutes remaining in the first half. Fisher revealed afterward that Ford had practiced about three days over the previous three weeks and was being eased back into action.
Deuce Drake provided another spark off the bench, scoring 11 points in 15 minutes, including five consecutive points during a crucial second-half stretch.
Second-half concerns
Despite leading 36-16 at halftime, Temple struggled to maintain its defensive intensity.
Central Connecticut State improved to 50% shooting after the half, while Temple made three of 16 second-half three-point attempts.
The Owls led by 23 points with 11:19 remaining, but the Blue Devils repeatedly cut into the advantage, reducing the deficit to 11 with 1:26 left.
Fisher criticized Temple’s stagnant offensive possessions and tendency to settle for perimeter shots rather than attacking the basket.
“I thought we really settled in the second half offensively,” Fisher said. “You’ve got to attack more.”
Marsh attributed the late struggles to a lack of attention to detail.
Still, the opener demonstrated Temple’s potential to pressure opponents with its depth and athleticism.
