By: Josh Abrams
Photos: Ryan Nix
Philadelphia, PA – When the new Big 5 format was decided and announced before this season got underway, fans of all (now six) schools had to wonder how competitive the new ‘pods’ would turn out.
Well, for the supporters of both La Salle and Temple, they received an early Christmas gift via the classic, a triple overtime battle that took place at the Liacouras Center on Wednesday evening. In the end, after 55 minutes of basketball, it was the host Owls who prevailed over the visiting Explorers, 106-99.
And just like any clash between the two North Philly schools, some history was made on both sides in what was their 123rd meeting dating back to the beginning of the 20th century.
La Salle senior guard Jhamir Brickus had the game of his life; a career-high 41 points marked a new Big-5 single-game scoring record that was formerly held for the past 40 years by another Explorer, Steve Black. The Coatesville native would have easily played all 55 had he not fouled out with 1:46 showing in the third overtime.
The win for the Owls secures them a spot in the coveted Big-5 Classic title game this Saturday against St. Joe’s, who went into the Finneran Pavilion and took down 18th-ranked Villanova by a score of 78-65. This sets up quite the juicy all-red championship match to cap off the evening; the Owls and the Hawks are playing each other for the 165th time in the schools’ history.
For the game that took place on Broad Street, there were certainly plenty of opportunities for both teams to put it away earlier than a third overtime period. This especially holds true for a La Salle squad whose head coach was trying to will his group to victory in an all-too-familiar place.
Three pointer from La Salle's Jhamir Brickus ties game with Temple at the end of regulation (Video/Josh Abrams)
Jhamir Brickus reflects on record breaking 41 point performance after tough triple OT loss at Temple (Video/Josh Abrams)
“Really, an amazing game, in so many ways,” said Fran Dunphy, who made the return to one of his old Big-5 stomping grounds (he coached Temple from 2006-19). “Amazing effort by this guy (pointing to Brickus sitting next to him), he did some incredible things. It would’ve been a great win for us. I think it’s a terrific win for Temple, and we need to regroup here a little bit.”
Brickus drives baseline and converts the and-one layup in OT (Video/Josh Abrams)
Khalil Brantley knocks down huge triple to give La Salle three-point lead with 45 seconds in first overtime (Video/Josh Abrams)
Throughout the entire first half and first 15 minutes of the second half, it was as tight and intense of a Big-5 contest as it gets. But Temple started to pull away late; they extended their lead to as large as nine with just over four minutes in regulation, and even held an eight point lead with about 90 seconds remaining.
Early first half action in La Salle/Temple; teams trade baskets before Temple forces foul into media TO (Video/Josh Abrams)
Explorers get off to quick start in early second half against the Owls (Video/Josh Abrams)
La Salle refused to quit, however. The combination of Brickus and junior guard Khalil Brantley (who poured in a 29-14-5 points-rebounds-assists stat line) propelled the Explorers to an even score with their familiar foe by the end of regulation. The former’s fourth three of the meeting knotted things at 71 all with 5.7 seconds showing at the end of the second half.
It’s closer to remarkable than anything that Temple was able to stretch their lead as large as they did because of some unusual struggles that unfolded. Coming into the contest, Temple shot the ball at an above average rate from three and ranked in the top-5 nationally in team free throw percentage at 85 percent. After sweating out two 20-minute regulation periods and three five-minute overtime sessions, the Owls finished 7-34 (20.6%) from three and a rather unusual 31-46 (67.4%) at the charity stripe.
Difficulties with shooting the ball, of all things in the game of basketball, can tend to lead to meltdowns which almost always turn into losses.
But in impressive fashion, Owls first-year head coach Adam Fisher kept his kids focused and driven, and made sure to credit those who came in late in the game who might not have seen game action if it weren’t for four of their five starters fouling out.
Temple forward Steve Settle reflects on how he stepped up with his fellow starting teammates fouled out (Video/Josh Abrams)
Temple head coach Adam Fisher postgame interview following huge triple OT win over La Salle (Video/Josh Abrams)
“We do some stuff in practice that puts those guys on two teams, so they’re used to being out there,” Fisher said. “They’re doing things late game, they’re talking through what they’re doing, and we do it every day. I think those guys came in and just did an unbelievable job. I can’t say enough about the job those guys did... they make great plays.”
Temple was led in scoring by junior guard Hysier Miller (Neumann-Goretti) with 20 points, and when he eventually fouled out of the game, junior forward Steve Settle took over and finished right behind Miller with a 19-point effort. His biggest three points came at the end of the first overtime, when he drained his second three pointer, tied things up at 85 apiece and forced a second overtime.
Temple vs. La Salle - PSD Photos by Ryan Nix
Said Settle on the shot: “We had a great inbounds play, and (the coaches) give us the confidence to shoot those shots and I knew if I got it I was going to hit it.”
He didn’t hesitate one bit to back up his coach’s remarks on just how deep and loaded the entire program is, let alone the rotation of guys who see their fair share of minutes.
“We have 14 guys that can all play at a high level,” the junior said. “Those guys prepare us in practice, and they don’t take practice lightly. Everything that we just did out there, we’ve done in practice numerous times, and guys stepped up. That’s what we preach; everybody’s into the game, and when your number’s called, you’re ready to go.”
La Salle HC Fran Dunphy reflects on returning back to Temple and coaching against former team (Video/Josh Abrams)
Dunphy on what has allowed his team to play at a competitive level so far this season (Video/Josh Abrams)
For La Salle, their overall record falls to 5-2; the other loss coming at the hands of the almighty Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium. While coming away victorious on Wednesday night would have been preferred for Dunphy and his Explorers, coaching at Temple, whether as an Owl or opponent like he is today, always has significant meaning.
“I think you try to not let it affect you,” said the legend many dub as ‘Mr. Big 5’. “Obviously I was here for a long time… just great people here at Temple. So I was just trying to pay my respects to as many people as I could, yet trying to keep my mind (focused on) what we were trying to do as a team… But it’s a special place, it was very good to me and I’m grateful for my time here.”
As for Temple, they improve to 4-2 overall and will look ahead to maybe the most heavily anticipated and intriguing matchup with their old friends, St. Joe’s, in the Big-5 Classic title game.
That match will cap off a day consisting of three Big-5 basketball games taking place at the Wells Fargo Center; Drexel/Villanova play for 5th place at 2, La Salle/Penn in the third place game at around 4:45 and Temple/Joe’s for the championship at around 7 p.m.