Temple's Shizz Alston Jr. shoots a three point shot against La Salle (Austin Ampeloquio/PSD)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Every time Temple began to pull away, La Salle answered with runs of their own. The epitome of Big 5 basketball. Competitive, intense and emotional contests between the best college basketball programs in the city of Philadelphia.
“That’s what I came to Temple for. This exact moment is what I came here for. Big 5. Friday night. It doesn’t get any better than this,” sophomore Shizz Alston Jr. said following Temple’s season opening, 97-92 overtime win against La Salle. “You can’t get this at any other school, so this moment means a lot to me. Especially being from Philly, it means a lot.”
That fiery pride in Philadelphia college basketball was on full display for Alston not only after the game, but during the game as well, and it showed in the way he played when the game mattered most. Though he failed to put up outstanding numbers during regulation, Alston’s play in overtime helped spring life into the depleted Owls and willed Temple to a victory.
Early on, Alston seemed to be forcing several shots--pulling up for long, contested jumpers off screen and rolls instead of dishing off to the cutting big man for easy layups. In the first half, Alston was only able to score four points and made just two of the six field goals he had attempted. In the second half, Alston’s offensive scoring was even less efficient. The sophomore guard went 0-for-4 from the field but made three free throws to add to his point total from the first half. By the end of regulation, Alston had only seven points total and was shooting a dreadful 20-percent overall.
Veterans, Daniel Dingle and Obi Enechionyia, were able to compensate for the lack of efficiency from Alston in regulation though, combining for 37 points prior to the overtime period, but La Salle’s, Jordan Price, was able to drain a deep three pointer to force overtime at the Liacouras Center.
Jordan Price nails deep three for La Salle to force OT vs. Temple
Price may have been in the spotlight for a little while with the game tying shot, but in overtime, it was Shizz Alston Jr. who stole the show.
“I didn’t shoot well the entire game. I wasn’t there offensively for my team,” Alston said of his play after the game. “I knew when overtime happened, I had to bring it home for us.”
Alston played four minutes in the extra period, and in just those four minutes, Alston was able to record seven points, two steals, a block and a rebound for Temple. The game clinching run by Alston truly showed how he can contribute in more ways than just one for the Owls.
“I told myself, when I’m not scoring, I have to do other things to help my team,” Alston said. “I felt like that gave us some energy. My blocks, and my steals...gave us some life.”
Temple's Shizz Alston Jr. dribbles the ball up the court against La Salle's pressure - (Austin Ampeloquio/PSD)
Temple head coach Fran Dunphy acknowledged Alston’s effort throughout the contest and the growth of Alston’s understanding of the game from his freshman to his sophomore year.
“He played very well. He’s got a better sense of who he is right now,” Dunphy said. “It was not an easy freshman year for him. I think he picked up a lot tonight...he came of age, and as we move forward, he’s going to be expected to do even more for us.”
Dunphy and the Temple faithful will see if Shizz Alston Jr. can live up to those expectations on Monday, November 14th, as the Owls go up against the Wildcats of New Hampshire at the Liacouras Center. The second game of the 2016-17 season for Temple will begin at 7 p.m. and will be broadcasted on ESPN3 to open NIT Season Tip-Off play.