Alabama
Temple
Alabama Takes a Hard Fought Game Over Temple, 75-71
12/12/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Chris Woodfin
The No. 18 (AP) University of Alabama men's basketball team survived Temple's second half defensive pressure to earn a hard fought 75-71 victory over the Owls at Coleman Coliseum Saturday night. The Crimson Tide improves to 8-1 for the season while Temple drops to 3-4.
Alabama was able to take a 41-32 lead at the half, but TU stepped up its second half defense. The Owls allowed the Tide to make only eight-of-21 shots after the intermission while hitting 13-of-36 and forcing UA into nine second half turnovers to crawl back into the game, coming to within two points at 64-62 with 4:45 remaining in the game.
However Mardy Collins picked up a technical foul and the Tide capitalized with Earnest Shelton hitting two free throws and Justin Jonus draining a three pointer to push Alabama's lead back to seven at 69-62.
The Owls would get as close as four points twice with less than a minute remaining, but Jermareo Davidson and Chuck Davis each hit free throws to give Alabama some breathing room.
Alabama head coach Mark Gottfried was pleased that his team found a way to win.
"We had guys step up and make plays," Gottfried said. "Justin Jonus made shots and we made foul shots. We just did what we needed to do to win and at the end of the day that's what we did."
Shelton paced Alabama with 22 points. Davidson and Davis each recorded double-doubles, scoring 16 and 14 points and grabbing 13 and 11 rebounds, respectively. Ronald Steele added 12 points for the Tide and played all 40 minutes.
Mark Tyndale led three Owls in double figures with a career-high 22 points. Mardy Collins and Dustin Salisbery contributed 17 points and 16 points, respectively.
The Tide takes this week off for final exams before returning to action next Saturday. Alabama will play host to Tennessee State at 6:00 p.m. in Coleman Coliseum. The game can be heard on the Crimson Tide Sports Network.
