Temple rallies, then falls to Houston, 66-61
The Owls overcame a slow start, but couldn't overcome Houston to ever take a lead.
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.