Owls break through offensively to beat La. Tech

Philadelphia, PA -- Will Cummings and Quenton DeCosey each notched 20 points to lead the Temple Owls over the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, 82-75, in a non-conference matchup at the Liacouras Center.

Cummings was just 3-of-13 from the field but hit 13-of-18 at the free-throw line for the Owls (2-0), and the guard also grabbed nine rebounds. Josh Brown and Daniel Dingle were also big contributors with 17 and 11 points, respectively. Mark Williams brought down 10 rebounds in the win. 

It was a badly needed early-season breakout win against a non-conference opponent, given that Fran Dunphy's kids only managed to score 40 in a season-opening three-point win against American University on Friday night. 

Raheem Appleby scored a game-high 26 points for the Bulldogs (1-1). Erik McCree added 14 points, Kenneth Smith had eight points, eight assists and eight rebounds before fouling out.

The Bulldogs shot slightly better than the Owls from the field in the first half of play, 41.2 percent to 40.7 percent. The visitors claimed a 38-34 halftime lead as a result.

In the second half the Owls picked up the pace, improving to shoot 45.8 percent from the field and also converting 24-of-35 at the line. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, dipped to 39.3 percent from the floor 
and sank just 7-of-18 free- throw attempts. The Owls got out to a 12-point lead late in the contest.

Temple also had the benefit of 23 points from bench players, limiting Louisiana Tech's reserves to 
just 12 points.