PHILADELPHIA, PA–On Wednesday night, GMC Hoops took a trip out to the Liacouras Center on the campus of Temple University to see the top seeded Owls take on third seeded Louisiana Tech in the quarterfinal round of the 2015 NIT. Led by former St. Joseph’s standout, Quenton DeCosey, the Temple Owls went on a 9-2 run to break away from a slim 8-7 lead early on to take a 17-9 advantage and stayed in control the rest of the way for a 77-59 victory. DeCosey, who scored the first five points of the game, collected a game high 21 points on 7 of 11 shooting overall including 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. Temple also got 17 points from Jesse Morgan and 15 from Will Cummings. Erik McCree led Louisiana Tech with 14 points. Below are game notes from the action:
First Half
15:56 left in the first half and there’s a TV timeout with Temple leading Louisiana Tech 8-7. Quenton DeCosey scored the first five points of the game including a three for Temple.
13:53 left in the first half and Louisiana Tech calls a 30 second timeout after a 9-2 Temple run gives Owls a 17-9 lead.
10:06 left in the first half and there’s a TV timeout with Temple leading 27-18. DeCosey made a pair of FTs to help the Owls increase their lead by one.
6:59 left in the first half and Louisiana Tech calls timeout after a nice give and go for a layup by Temple for a 34-20 Owls lead. Temple on a 7-2 run.
2:25 left in the first half and Temple leads 38-27 after a drive around the left side for a layup by Quenton DeCosey.
34.4 seconds left in the first half and Temple leads 41-33 after an Alleyoop dunk by Louisiana Tech.
0:00–Game has gone to the half with Temple leading 41-33. La Tech scored 6 of the last 9 points of the second half.
Second Half
17:13 left in the game and Temple leads 48-38 thanks in part to a three from the left side of the key by Quenton DeCosey. Temple scores 7 of the first 12 points of the second half.
15:19 left in the first game and there is a timeout with Temple leading 55-44 after two long threes by the Owls.
11:26 left in the game and there’s an injury timeout with Temple leading 61-47. Owls have scored 6 of the last 9 points.
8:24 left in the game and Temple leads 67-53 thanks in part to a three from the left wing by DeCosey.
6:11 left in the game and there’s a timeout with Temple leading 69-57. La Tech has scored 4 of the last 6 points.
3:49 left in the game and there’s a TV timeout with Temple leading 75-57 thanks to a drive down the left lane by DeCosey.
0:00–Temple Reserves come in and run out the clock. Game has just ended with Temple defeating Louisiana Tech, 77-59. DeCosey finishes with 21 while Jesse Morgan adds 17 and Will Cummings chips in with 15 for Temple. Erik McCree led Louisiana Tech with 14.