Temple men snap six-game losing streak against South Florida with 65-47 win

It takes a lot to impress Temple coach Aaron McKie. Even in most of Temple’s wins, he highlights the needed improvements.

Temple’s performance on Wednesday seemed like one that would impress McKie, but he admitted to still having his seatbelt on during the height of the game.

The Owls spent most of their six-game losing streak falling behind big early. This time it was Temple leading for more than 32 minutes in a 65-47 win over South Florida in Tampa.

Temple played the Bulls on Sunday and lost, 83-76. USF’s offensive rebounding and Temple’s turnovers were the difference on Sunday. The Bulls (8-9, 4-7 AAC) outrebounded the Owls again, but they were held to five second-chance points. Temple (5-10, 4-10) finished plus-seven in turnovers.

“Preparation,” Khalif Battle said of the biggest difference from Sunday. “Just the feeling of losing. I told you guys that we were going to be ready by today, and I think we proved that.”

Something that didn’t change was Battle’s hot scoring. He scored a career-high 32 points on Sunday and came back with a team-high 22 Wednesday.

This performance may have been more impressive. The Owls weren’t playing from behind, plus USF had three days to try and figure out a way to contain Battle. He shot 9-for-15 overall and added three three-pointers.

“He’s a scorer,” McKie said. “It’s a huge part of his makeup. He’s been a guy who has been a scorer all his life, so this is nothing new when you see teams throwing different looks at you defensively.”

Temple shot 45% overall and held USF to 29%. De’Vondre Perry (11), Jeremiah Williams (11), and JP Moorman (10) each hit double figures. USF’s Xavier Castaneda was held to one point on 0-for-7 shooting after scoring 18 on Sunday.

The win snapped Temple’s two-game losing streak against the Bulls and a six-game losing streak overall.

“We’re learning how to win,” McKie said. “It’s not easy. Especially when you’re playing a lot of young guys.

“It’s going to take a lot of experience, but they’re gaining it, and they’re comfortable with it.”

South Florida’s undefeated American Athletic Conference record was at stake when Temple led by five entering the fourth quarter.

The Owls have been susceptible to bad quarters, but the drop-off came at the wrong time against the Bulls. USF outscored Temple 21-7 in the fourth and defeated the Owls, 56-47, at McGonigle Hall.

After Temple took a 42-37 lead, USF (14-1, 11-0 AAC) went on a 15-0 run. The Owls’ attack was headlined by Mia Davis with 23 points and Jasha Clinton with 20. They scored 43 of Temple’s (9-9, 4-6) 47 points. Alexa Williamson was the only other player to score.

“I felt like we were really good in the first half,” coach Tonya Cardoza said. “That was probably the best defensive effort that we’ve had all season. I just feel like in the second half, we got undisciplined with fouls. We can’t afford to play with two of our starters on the bench in foul trouble.”