In a game that saw the Owls shooting 56 percent from 3-point range, Temple’s offense clicked for the majority of 40 minutes, while Central Florida struggled to produce in the men’s basketball team’s 86-62 victory at the Knights’ CFE arena Wednesday night.
The Owls’ backcourt provided much of the offensive production, as guards Jesse Morgan (15 points), Will Cummings (14), Devin Coleman (14) and Quenton DeCosey (13) led the team in scoring. The team’s 86 points marks a season high, surpassing its previous high mark set in an 84-78 defeat of the Knights Jan. 4 at the Liacouras Center.
Morgan found his shooting touch early, hitting his three 3-pointers in the first half. He remained a factor on the score sheet, particularly early in the latter half, before the Owls (14-7, 5-3 American Athletic Conference) ran away with the contest on the scoreboard.
Cummings netted 10 of his 14 points in the first half, as he and Morgan helped the Owls to a 19-point lead at halftime. DeCosey, meanwhile, knocked down two long-range jumpers early in the second half that helped the Owls further widen the margin.
Coleman got off to a hot start, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers en route to eight points through the first 20 minutes. His 14 points marks his highest single-game scoring mark since regaining eligibility on Dec. 18, 2014 alongside Morgan after both players sat out for a year, as per NCAA transfer rules.
While the Owls’ backcourt accounted for the bulk of the scoring, junior center Devontae Watson finished with a season-high nine points and grabbed nine rebounds, which also matches his season high.
Temple averaged 51 percent (33-of-65) from the floor, while it allowed the Knights (9-11, 2-7 The American) to shoot 42 percent (21-of-50).
Central Florida sophomore guard Brandon Goodwin finished with a game-high 17 points, while junior guard and Philadelphia native Daiquan Walker netted 14 in a losing effort.
The Owls will get back to action when they host Tulane University Saturday at noon.
Andrew Parent can be reached at Andrew.parent@temple.edu or on Twitter @Andrew_Parent23.
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