SMU Mustangs lose to Temple after reaching #23
SMU Mustangs 64 - Temple Owls - 71
Hall of Fame coach Larry O' Brown has led the Mustangs back to the map as they recently entered the top 25 for the first time in 29 years. This was Larry Brown's return to Philadelphia for the first time since parting ways with the Philadelphia 76ers. All of the Mustangs losses this season have been on the road or at a neutral court site. Coach Fran Dunphy led his Owls' team to a victory at home without the team's leading rebounder Anthony Lee.
Dalton Pepper scored 24 points for Coach Dunphy's Temple team. This was the team's first win over a top 25 team this season. The Owl's were previously 0-5 this season. The major story line in this matchup was the rebounding numbers. SMU came into this game with the best rebounding margin in the AAC conference while the Owls were at the bottom of the conference. Somehow the Mustangs' were out rebounded 38-25. SMU only scored a season-low two second -chance points Sunday in its loss to Temple. Let's see what Coach Brown can do with his team that have a brutal schedule to finish the season. Three of the team's last five games are vs. ranked opponents (UConn, Louisville, Memphis).
By Steven Spector -2-16-14
