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Temple routs Louisiana Tech to reach NIT semifinals

Temple continued its impressive postseason run by refusing to allow Louisiana Tech to play at its accustomed breakneck speed. Limiting the fleet Bulldogs in transition and doing a commendable job against their pressure defense, Temple defeated Louisiana Tech, 77-59, Wednesday night in an NIT quarterfinal at the Liacouras Center.

Temple's Jesse Morgan, left, goes up for a basket in front Louisiana Tech's Qiydar Davis, right, in the first half of a NIT game on March 25, 2015, at the Liacouras Center. (Charles Fox/Staff Photographer)
Temple's Jesse Morgan, left, goes up for a basket in front Louisiana Tech's Qiydar Davis, right, in the first half of a NIT game on March 25, 2015, at the Liacouras Center. (Charles Fox/Staff Photographer)Read more

Temple continued its impressive postseason run by refusing to allow Louisiana Tech to play at its accustomed breakneck speed.

Limiting the fleet Bulldogs in transition and doing a commendable job against their pressure defense, Temple defeated Louisiana Tech, 77-59, Wednesday night in an NIT quarterfinal at the Liacouras Center.

The Owls (26-10) are headed to Madison Square Garden for a semifinal Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Miami (24-12).

Junior swingman Quenton DeCosey led the Owls in points with 21 and rebounds with 11.

"I wanted to come out and be confident and aggressive and help my team out and get the win," said DeCosey, who made 7 for 11 shots from the field and 3 of 4 from beyond the arc.

"I thought this was Q's best game of the year," Temple coach Fran Dunphy said. "I thought he was really solid."

For the second straight game, Temple senior Jesse Morgan performed like someone who was not ready to turn in his uniform. Morgan scored 17 points after delivering 20 in the Owls' 90-77 second-round win over George Washington.

Senior point guard Will Cummings added 15 points, giving him 66 in the three NIT wins.

The Owls also received a big game off the bench from Daniel Dingle, a 6-foot-7 redshirt sophomore, who had seven points, five rebounds, and two assists.

This was Temple's second win over Tech (27-9). In the second game of the season for both teams, Temple defeated the visiting Bulldogs, 82-75.

"We have had two rough trips here in the City of Brotherly Love and Coach Dunphy hasn't been very nice to us," said Louisiana Tech coach Michael White. "They are really good, and the best team won."

Tech entered the game averaging 73.5 points, and the Bulldogs' forte is scoring in transition. But Temple made them play more of a half-court game.

"They are a fastbreak team and they drive and get baskets, and we really wanted to make a point of getting back on defense," Cummings said.

Louisiana Tech's catalyst is senior point guard Kenneth "Speedy" Smith, who entered the game third in the nation in assists, averaging 7.5 per game.

Smith suffered a left- ankle injury in the second half and was carried off the court with 11 minutes, 26 seconds left and Temple leading, 61-47. He didn't return to action but returned to sit on the bench.

Morgan and sub Devin Coleman didn't play in the first game against Tech. The two sat out the first 10 games in accordance with NCAA transfer rules. In addition, Temple's Jaylen Bond missed that game with an ankle injury.

"It's just a good feeling begin able to extend your season," Morgan said.

With 21.7 seconds left, Dunphy pulled his starters and they received an ovation that they will take with them to New York next week.

@sjnard