NEW YORK — After Thursday night’s game between Temple and South Carolina, USC’s head coach Frank Martin said that Quinton Rose is a guard who doesn’t look powerful but still plays strong.

If Rose’s strength hadn’t been evident in the games before, where Rose had averaged 17.5 points and 7.3 rebounds, he put it on display early during the game at Madison Square Garden. And the play that will stick out: a calm toss up from half court, intended as a half court lob to Obi Enechionyia, that instead landed into the basket. And it counted for three points.

Temple (4-1) beat South Carolina (5-2) 76-60 in the finale of the Under Armour Reunion. Temple’s guard play, specifically from Rose, proved to be a key factor in the victory.

While Martin said Rose is a strong player, he probably didn’t think Rose was strong enough to throw a halfcourt chest pass into the hoop.

It was just that kind of night for Rose.

Rose’s size and strength proved to be a matchup nightmare for South Carolina’s guards. He scored 24 points and did so efficiently. In 33 minutes Rose made 10 of his 13 shot attempts including two three pointers and two foul shots.

“He did a really good job,” Temple coach Fran Dunphy said. “Obviously he can score it and he does that, but I thought he handled the ball much better tonight.”

Rose only had one turnover against South Carolina after turning the ball over seven times in a loss to La Salle on Sunday. His shiftiness off the dribble paired with his ability to finish at the rim or make a perimeter jump shot causes even more problems for opposing defenders.

Rose’s shot selection against the Gamecocks was one of the main keys to his efficient performance. He made an effort to consistently get inside instead of settling for 3-point shots. 10 of his shots came inside the perimeter and only three attempts were hoisted up from behind the arc.

“I was just going out there trying to be aggressive offensively and defensively to help my team get a win,” Rose said.

Temple’s ability to get steals and push the pace in transition helped with Rose’s shot selection. The Owls had 12 steals and forced 17 total turnovers on the Gamecocks. Temple ended with nine fastbreak points and 18 points off turnovers.

“[When] you turn him loose down court and he’s coming down hill at you, it’s hard,” Martin said of Rose after the game.

Rose’s inclose shot selection seemed to be contagious as well. Temple as a team outscored South Carolina 38-26 in the paint.

Sophomore center Damion Moore scored a career high 20 points on 8-11 shooting against the Gamecocks. Rose said Moore’s consistency at the rim against South Carolina helped spread the floor for Temple.

“If [Damion] has it going, he knows I’m going to dump off,” Rose said. “It makes it a thousand times easier.”

Temple takes on George Washington on Sunday and the team is feeling confident in their performance this season so far.

“I think we’re in a good spot,” Rose said. “We’re right where we want to be...so we just got to keep this energy going.”