Dec. 9, 2007

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PHILADELPHIA - All of the elements were in place on Sunday for a historic evening at the Liacouras Center. Temple celebrated the 10th anniversary of the building, was going for win number 100 in the arena and had a chance to keep Villanova out of the record books for the longest Philadelphia Big 5 winning streak. Former TU President Peter J. Liacouras, for whom the building is named, even tossed up a ceremonial jump ball prior to the contest. The only thing missing was a Temple victory.

Someone forgot to mention all of the nostalgia to the #21/25 Wildcats, who made some history of their own with an opponent-record 101 points in the 101-93 victory. The game was the highest scoring in the building's 10-year history, as the teams combined for 194 points. The previous record was 190, set on March 3, 2004 when the Owls defeated Massachusetts, 98-92 in double-overtime.

Nova set a new Big 5 record by winning its 13th straight game in the City Series, topping the mark of 12 set by Penn from 1972-75. Ironically, Temple was the last team to beat Villanova in a Big 5 game, doing so on December 4, 2004 with a 53-52 victory at The Palestra.

Points came in bunches for both teams in one of the highest scoring City Series games ever. The second half ledger read 59-54 Villanova, which for many Big 5 games would have been the final.

Temple had three players score at least 20 points, led by senior Mark Tyndale, who had 24. Junior Dionte Christmas had his second straight double-double, and the third of his career, with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Sophomore Ryan Brooks poured in 22 points and along with classmate Luis Guzman (13 points), set a career-high. Freshman Lavoy Allen gave another workman-like effort with 12 points and eight boards.

The Owls (4-5, 0-1 Big 5) did not have an answer for Nova (7-1, 2-0) sophomore Scottie Reynolds. The reigning Big East Rookie of the Year netted a season-high 27 points--20 in the second half--and dished nine assists. Three other Wildcats scored in double-figures, including 17 each by junior Shane Clark and freshman Antonio Pena. Freshman Corey Fisher scored 12 of his 16 points in the first half.

Temple head coach Fran Dunphy compared the high-octane game to another contest between the two rivals. Fresh off its first #1 Associated Press ranking in school history, the Owls welcomed #10 Villanova into a packed McGonigle Hall on February 10, 1988. The Cherry and White came away with a 98-86 victory on their way to a Big 5 title, Elite Eight appearance and 32-2 final record.

"Two of the greatest defensive basketball coaches I've ever seen were Rollie Massimino and John Chaney," Dunphy said. "I remember that game in the late `80s and they both said they just watched two really good basketball teams compete against each other."

Coming off its best defensive-effort of the season in a 69-46 victory over Towson on Thursday, the Owls could not stop the Wildcats balanced attack. Villanova came at TU from all angles and showed the 7,720 in attendance why it has won 13-straight against Big 5 opponents.

"They had great firepower and our defense was wanting tonight," Dunphy said. "I'm frustrated that we didn't play very well defensively, but I do think we played a very good offensive basketball team."

The Wildcats were fresh off a dramatic victory over LSU on Thursday in which the `Cats stormed back from a 21-point deficit with eight minutes to go to win 68-67. VU head coach Jay Wright almost had the tables turned tonight but was able to hold off the Temple charge.

Leading by 24 with just under six to play tonight, the game appeared to be in hand for the visitors. Temple then went on a 15-3 run over the next two minutes to cut it to 87-76, but could not get much closer. A Tyndale dunk at the buzzer made the final margin eight points, the closest the Owls were since the 15:50 mark of the second half.

"That was a good win for us," Villanova head coach Jay Wright said "On the road here against a tough team that can really score, that's a good win."

TU will take a week off from competition for finals and will visit Drexel on Saturday at The Palestra. Tip-off is set for noon and the game will be broadcast on ESPNU and WPHT 1210 AM.