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Temple rallies, then falls to Houston, 66-61

The Owls overcame a slow start, but couldn't overcome Houston to ever take a lead.

Houston's Jamal Shead, right, dribbles past the defense of Temple's Jeremiah Williams during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Houston's Jamal Shead, right, dribbles past the defense of Temple's Jeremiah Williams during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)Read moreDerik Hamilton / AP

Temple’s first game in 11 days looked like it early on. But the Owls rallied in the second half before falling to No. 12 Houston, 66-61, on Sunday at Liacouras Arena in an American Athletic Conference game.

The Owls (7-6) managed to stay within reach of the Cougars (12-2) for much of the game, but never managed to get the lead.

Both teams are coming off a pause due to COVID-19 issues within their respective programs.

Before tipoff, Temple forward Jake Forrester and guard Tai Strickland were ruled out. Forrester was out with a non-COVID-related sickness and Strickland was a game-time decision with a back injury. Houston, already missing leading scorer Marcus Sasser with a season-ending foot injury, also played without guard Tramon Mark, who has a shoulder injury.

Temple’s next game is at 7 p.m. Wednesday at UCF (9-3).

Impact of Forrester’s absence

Without Forrester, the Owls had to alter their rotation in the front court.

Forward Arashma Parks, who has played in three games averaging 5.3 minutes a game, got his first start of the season. He contributed with two points and four rebounds, three offensive.

Parks grabbed an offensive rebound off a missed three-pointer by Nick Jourdain (12 points) and got the ball out to Damian Dunn (14 points), who made a three-pointer to cut the Owls’ deficit to 40-35 at the 18-minute mark.

Owls’ slow start

Temple ended the first half shooting 39.1% from the field and had nine turnovers.

The Owls cut the Cougars’ lead to 24-20, after guard Jeremiah Willaims made a three with about seven minutes left in the first half. However, Houston led 40-29 at the half thanks to a late 12-0 run.

“They got extra chances and second chances, which hurt us,” Dunn said.

Temple used a 12-2 run early in the second half to cut the deficit to one point at 42-41 with about 15 minutes to play, but couldn’t get over the hump.