Massachusetts took 11 shots in overtime against Temple Sunday. They made only two.
Temple, however, took 12 shots from the foul line, sinking 11.
It was the Owls ability to get to the free throw line and pressure on the defensive side that led to a 16-6 advantage in the extra period and an 80-70 victory over the Minutemen (15-8, 4-5 Atlantic Ten Conference) Sunday afternoon at the Liacouras Center.
“They made plays when it mattered,” UMass coach Travis Ford said. “I was disappointed in our shot selection.”
The Owls (12-10, 5-3 A-10) made their mark in overtime at the charity stripe. Temple converted 11-of-12 free throws, making eight with under a minute left to seal their sixth win in eight games.
Senior guard Mark Tyndale went 10-for-10 from the free throw line becoming the first player to be perfect with double-digit attempts since December 10, 2003.
“Very happy for him, he really came through,” coach Fran Dunphy said.
Last month Tyndale missed a crucial free throw with under a minute left which allowed Saint Joseph’s senior Pat Calathes to hit a three-pointer which gave the Hawks a 68-67 victory.
Tyndale said that game is behind him and he has his confidence back.
“Practice paying off,” he said. “Just coming into the gym late at night shooting free throws, shooting after practice when I’m tired. Just a little confidence builder.”
The Owls, who improved to 3-0 in overtime this season, are tied for third with Charlotte in the A-10.
“Diaper Dandy” Performance
Lavoy Allen’s cell phone went off three times during the post-game press conference. It must have been people calling to congratulate the freshman forward on a career day.
Allen scored a career-high 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting to go along with eight rebounds and three assists. Allen also had a big block in overtime with the Owls holding a six point lead with 46 seconds remaining.
“He outplayed a fifth-year senior and two fourth-year juniors,” Ford said.
Allen and junior center Sergio Olmos combined down low to score 30 points on 13-of-17 shooting.
“It was a place where we could go to score some points,” Dunphy said. “Massachusetts took away a lot of our perimeter stuff. Lavoy was tremendous and Serge did a good job too. For us, it’s a nice option to have.”
Allen said he’s being more aggressive and taking more shots.
Tyndale said that hasn’t always been the case.
“Lavoy doesn’t even ask for the ball. I tell him to look for your own stuff. He’s not a selfish player at all.”
Holding Forbes
Last season, UMass senior guard Gary Forbes dropped a career-high 31 points on the Owls.
This season, the Owls and Tyndale got their revenge.
“Mark is really developing into a really good defensive player,” Dunphy said. “Here’s a guy, Forbes, who is a real good scorer for that team and he saw it as a challenge and he met that challenge.”
Tyndale and the Owls held Forbes, the A-10 scoring leader, to 12 points on 5-of-19 shooting. Forbes also turned the ball over six times.
Said Tyndale: “Gary Forbes is tough; he’s strong as an ox. He’s a very good player.
“All the coaches messed with me saying Gary Forbes going to do this, going to do that to me. It was a little confidence builder to slow him down a little.”
Pete Dorchak can be reached at pdorchak@temple.edu.
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