Temple's Aiden Tobiason stole the show at Minges Coliseum, scoring 27 points and grabbing 6 rebounds to lead the Owls to an 81-73 win over East Carolina. The Pirates, despite a valiant effort from Jordan Riley, who poured in 32 points, couldn't overcome Temple's balanced attack. The win marked a successful road trip for the Owls, who improved to 15-8 on the season.
Aiden Tobiason's 27 Points Marked His 10th 20-Point Game of the Season
The first half saw Temple take control, with the Owls racing out to a 35-28 lead at the break. Aiden Tobiason was unstoppable, scoring 15 of his 27 points in the opening stanza. East Carolina, however, refused to back down, with Jordan Riley scoring 18 of his 32 points in the first half. The Pirates' Demitri Gardner chipped in with 8 points, but it wasn't enough to keep pace with the Owls.
In the second half, Temple continued to push the pace, with Jordan Mason and Masiah Gilyard combining for 20 points. The Owls' lead ballooned to as many as 12 points, but East Carolina fought back, with Riley and Giovanni Emejuru leading the charge. Emejuru's 14 rebounds were a game-high, but it wasn't enough to overcome Temple's potent offense.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
CHD Scout had predicted a 10-point Temple victory, and while the final margin was slightly smaller, the outcome was never really in doubt. The Owls' win was a reflection of their depth and versatility, with three players scoring in double figures. For East Carolina, the loss marked another tough defeat in a season that has seen the Pirates struggle to find consistency.
The victory has real consequences for Temple's tournament chances. As a Quadrant 4 win, it may not be the most impressive notch on the Owls' resume, but it's a win nonetheless. With a current net ranking of 151, Temple still has work to do to secure a bid. For East Carolina, the loss was a Quadrant 3 defeat, which won't hurt their resume too badly, but it's another missed opportunity for the Pirates to pick up a quality win.
As the season enters its final stretch, Temple want to build on this win and make a push for the postseason. With Aiden Tobiason and Jordan Mason leading the charge, the Owls have the talent and depth to make some noise in the conference tournament. For East Carolina, the focus will be on finding a way to turn their season around and making a late push for a tournament bid.