PHILADELPHIA - Temple beat St. Joseph’s in a Big 5 showdown at the Liacouras Center 81-78 Saturday afternoon. Temple had four players score in double figures led by Shizz Alston Jr.s 20 points, but Taylor Funk and the Hawks kept the game close towards the end of regulation with their 3 point shooting.

The Owls were able to seal the game however with clutch free throws from redshirt senior Josh Brown. Brown made five of his six free throws in the last 33 seconds of regulation to keep St. Joseph’s out of reach. He ended the game with 13 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Ernest Aflakpui and Quinton Rose were also major contributors in Temple’s win. Aflakpui finished with 12 points and six rebounds in 21 minutes. Rose recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. He also contributed four assists in the win.

Shavar Newkirk led the Hawks with 18 points. Newkirk only shot 4-for-13 from the field but made eight of his 10 free throws. Chris Clover added 17 points for the Hawks while James Demery and Taylor Funk both finished with 15 points each.

Demery and Funk were St. Joseph’s most efficient players of the night. Demery went 7-for-9 overall while Funk shot 5-for-6 from behind the arc.

Despite the efficient production from the floor from the Hawks, they struggled from the free throw line as a team. St. Joseph’s only shot 54.5-percent on foul shots for the game.

The Hawks plays Maine on Dec. 17 for their next game while Temple continues Big 5 play against Villanova on Dec. 13.