For the third straight game to open conference play, Temple shot less than 40 percent from the field in the first half. That combined with Southern Methodist’s rebounding and scoring runs put Temple in a deficit as big as 21 points.
The Owls showed signs of life with a 13-3 run in the second half that included a steal, layup and an alley-oop by freshman guard Quinton Rose to cut it to a 10-point game. Rose got another one of his five steals and converted a layup on the other end to make it a nine-point game with one minute, 53 seconds left.