Fernandez, Moore lead Temple over Wichita State

SAN JUAN, P.R. - Juan Fernandez knows that sometimes taking a step back can help you go forward.

That's just what he did yesterday as he helped propel Temple to a 78-74 overtime win over Wichita State in the third-place game of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off tournament.

Fernandez scored 15 points and was 4-for-8 from the arc, including the tying three-pointer with 43 seconds left in regulation.

"I actually thought Rahlir [Hollis-Jefferson] was going to shoot that," Fernandez said. "But he gave it back to me and I was actually inside [the three-point arc] so I stepped back out. It felt good because when I hit it I was coming off like three [missed shots] in a row, so I'm glad it went in because it helped to push overtime and win that game."

Ramone Moore scored 23 points for the Owls (3-1), who won their tourney opener against Western Michigan, but then suffered a second-round loss to Purdue on Friday.

"It's a great a win for us," said Temple coach Fran Dunphy. "Any time you can find a way to scratch and claw and win a game like this, I think it helps your team.

"I thought our loss to Purdue helped us as well in a different way. But I am happy to be coming out of here with two victories and I think Wichita State will have a very good season this season."

Micheal Eric had 14 points and 12 rebounds and Khalif Wyatt, who missed a three-pointer with 10 seconds left in regulation, scored 13 for Temple.

Toure Murry led Wichita State (2-2) with 24 points. Garrett Stutz had 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Shockers.

Murry's three-pointer with 1:03 left in regulation gave the Shockers their biggest lead at 64-61, but Fernandez hit a three of his own to send the game into the extra session.

The overtime started off strong with the Owls' Eric pushing the opening tap to Hollis-Jefferson, who found Moore for a quick basket.

Wyatt then hit a jumper and Moore scored a basket and a free throw as the Owls took a 71-64 lead.

Moore ended up scoring six of his team's 14 overtime points.

"I think we were just lucky [at the beginning of OT]," Dunphy said. "You don't practice jump balls all that much and, you know, it just worked out.

"Also I think Wyatt felt like he needed to do something. I think he felt bad about not making the last shot of regulation. And he made a big jump shot [in OT], so I think that each one of us dug down a little bit more in the overtime and I also thought our defense was good in the overtime."

The Owls play Bowling Green on Sunday before returning home to host Central Michigan on Dec. 3.

For Dunphy, the trip to the Isle of Enchantment was a homecoming of sorts.

He has vacationed there and, while at Penn, he brought a team over to play in the San Juan Shootout during the 1997-98 season.

"It's a great place for me personally, because one of my high school classmates lives here in Puerto Rico and so it's always nice to hang out with him," Dunphy said. "It's a place I have been to with my family in the past and a place I enjoy coming to every time. I'll be on [the] chamber of commerce pretty soon."