COLLEGE: 'Big Shots' from Philadelphia's Shizz Alston Jr. help Temple close out Penn
PHILADELPHIA - With under four minutes to go at the Palestra, Penn led Temple by three points. Both teams were competing for something. The Quakers were looking for their first win over Temple in 11 years. The Owls were trying to keep their postseason hopes alive after losing six of their previous eight games. Philadelphia native Shizz Alston Jr. decided to take matters into his own hands.
The junior guard for Temple sized up fellow Pennsylvania native Ryan Betley at the top of the key with a few crossover dribbles. Alston Jr. then launched a 3-pointer over Betley's outstretched arms. The ball rattled through the rim and the game was tied.
Temple Junior Guard Shizz Alston, Jr. helps seal the 60-51 point victory against Penn
Alston Jr.’s shot sparked a run in which Temple scored 12 straight points to end the game. The Owls beat the Quakers 60-51 Saturday afternoon. Alston Jr. mentioned how the energy of Saturday’s Big 5 matchup reminded him of Big 5 games he used to watch as a kid.
“I’m from Philadelphia so I’ve been to plenty of Big 5 games here,” Alston Jr. said. “Every time there’s a game here I feel like something special happens and tonight was no different. It was a great game with big shots and the atmosphere was great.”
Alston scored 14 points against Penn and made five of his eight field goal attempts. He also made two clutch free throws with 19 seconds to go to put Temple up by seven points.
Senior forward Obi Enechionyia scored a game high 15 points for the Owls. Enechionyia shot 50 percent from behind the arc and made five of his six free throws. With the win Temple has now won three of its last four games. Enechionyia said despite their current record, the Owls have enough talent to go on a run for the rest of the season and possibly make the NCAA Tournament in March.
“This season, especially at this point, reminds me a lot of 2015-16,” Enechionyia said. “That team had a lot of talent as well and we found a way to put it all together at the end and make the tournament. I see nothing different from this team. I think we can do that if we stay together and keep pushing.”
Penn also has a chance to make the NCAA Tournament if they keep up their high level of play in the Ivy League. The Quakers are currently 3-0 in conference play and have the best overall record amongst teams in the Ivy League. Even with a loss to Temple, Penn head coach Steve Donahue said, “games like this I really do think it helps us to get ready for the rest of the Ivy League.”
Penn had three players score in double figures in the loss. Ryan Betley and AJ Brodeur each scored 12 points while Caleb Wood contributed 10 points for the Quakers.
Overall the Quakers only shot 28.4 percent as a team from the floor. Donahue said his team’s inability to finish at the rim was a key contributor in the loss to Temple.
“[Fran Dunphy] does a great job teaching, so it’s hard to get them out of position,” Donahue said. “They sense it, they use their length. There was probably 10 plays we might finish in our league and I think we would if we played against this length more often, but we had an issue with it.”
Penn fell to 12-6 overall and 0-3 in the Big 5 while Temple improved to 10-9 overall and 2-2 in Big 5 action. The Quakers close out their Big 5 schedule in their next game against St. Joseph’s on Jan 27.. Temple will continue American Athletic Conference play for their next matchup on the road against No. 9/8 Cincinnati on Wednesday.
