Ryan Brooks had 19 points to lead four players in double figures and lift Temple over Saint Joseph's 79-65 in the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament on Thursday. Sergio Olmos had 14 points and Semaj Inge and Craig Williams added 12 apiece for the defending champion Owls (20-11), who will now face No. 19 Xavier in a semifinal game Friday. Tasheed Carr matched his career high with 23 points and Ahmad Nivins had 21 points and 14 rebounds for Saint Joseph's (17-15). The Owl, who were in command for most of the game, led 43-28 at halftime and stretched their advantage to 22 points, 58-36, with 10:15 left. The Hawks then got as close as nine when Darrin Govens converted a layup to make it 65-56 with 4:31 remaining, but Lavoy Allen scored two straight baskets and the Owls maintained double-digit leads for the rest of the game.
Temple 79, Saint Joseph's 65
Ryan Brooks had 19 points to lead four players in double figures and lift Temple over Saint Joseph's 79-65 in the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament on Thursday. Sergio Olmos had 14 points and Semaj Inge and Craig Williams added 12 apiece for the defending champion Owls (20-11), who will now face No. 19 Xavier in a semifinal game Friday. Tasheed Carr matched his career high with 23 points and Ahmad Nivins had 21 points and 14 rebounds for Saint Joseph's (17-15). The Owl, who were in command for most of the game, led 43-28 at halftime and stretched their advantage to 22 points, 58-36, with 10:15 left. The Hawks then got as close as nine when Darrin Govens converted a layup to make it 65-56 with 4:31 remaining, but Lavoy Allen scored two straight baskets and the Owls maintained double-digit leads for the rest of the game.