Mustangs Fall 90-97 in Overtime on the Road at Temple

Olivia Pitten

February 8, 2020

The SMU Mustangs fell to Temple 90-97 in overtime on Saturday morning in the Liacouras Center bringing the Mustangs to 4-5 on the road so far this season. Earlier this season, the Mustangs found a 68-52 victory when hosting the Owls in Moody Coliseum. Coming into this matchup, SMU had won four of its last five games while Temple had lost four of its last five.

The Mustangs held a strong lead throughout the first half, at one point leading by 19. With no seniors on the roster, SMU’s starting line-up consisted of five transfers: Isiaha Mike, Isiah Jasey, Tyson Jolly, Kendric Davis, and Emmanuel Bandoumel.

Although Temple opened the scoring, SMU promptly responded with three three-pointers from Mike, Jolly, and Davis. In the first half alone, the Mustangs recorded nine three-pointers from five different players giving them a 48-31 lead at halftime.

The second half had a slower start in scoring for the Mustangs, who only recorded two points in the first four minutes of play. As Temple mounted a comeback, SMU struggled to find the basket.

In the first ten minutes, the Owls diminished the Mustangs’ 17-point halftime lead. A three point jumper from Temple freshman Josh Pierre-Louis brought the game within three points.

Then, with only 2:06 left to play, Pierre-Louis tied the game at 72 on two successful free throws. SMU responded with a quick three-pointer by Davis, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Owls. With one minute to play, Temple took the lead for the first time in the game off a three-pointer by senior Alani Moore II. Three free throws from Jolly evened the score at 80 and sent the game into overtime.

The first four minutes of overtime was a close matchup. Then, with 45 seconds remaining, a foul on Davis sent him to the bench and Temple to the line, allowing the Owls to gain a 93-90 lead. As the clock ran out in overtime, Mustang fouls gave Temple an opportunity for an additional six points from the free throw line. The Owls made four to secure their seven point victory.