Temple falls to 11-11 with 79-65 loss at Memphis
Nate Pierre-Louis and Quinton Rose scored 13 points apiece for the Owls, who have lost five of their last six.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Lester Quinones matched his career high with 21 points, freshman Precious Achiuwa registered his 12th double-double of the season and Memphis defeated Temple, 79-65, Wednesday night.
Quinones was 5-for-11 shooting, including four three-pointers, and made 7 of 8 free throws for the Tigers (17-5, 6-3 American Athletic Conference). Achiuwa scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. He also blocked three shots. Boogie Ellis tossed in 18 points for Memphis and was a perfect 8-for-8 at the free-throw line, where the Tigers went 22-for-28.
Nate Pierre-Louis and Quinton Rose scored 13 points apiece for Temple (11-11, 3-7), which has lost five of its last six.
Memphis, which has won its last three games, was 11-for-26 from behind the three-point arc to Temple’s 6-for-21, and the Tigers scored 19 points off 12 Temple turnovers. After a scrappy first half that saw nine lead changes and five ties, Memphis didn’t let the Owls get closer than five in the second half and led by double digits for the last 9:31 after a Quinones three-pointer from the left side.
Memphis evened the series at 11 wins apiece.
Temple hosts SMU on Saturday. Memphis hosts South Florida on Saturday.