Temple downs Maryland

WASHINGTON – Temple University coach Fran Dunphy is just one victory away from his 400th career victory.

Tonight at the Verizon Center, the Owls lost all of a double-digit halftime lead but rebounded in the final minutes to post a 64-61 victory over the University of Maryland at the BB&T Classic.

After the Terrapins knotted the score 56-56, Lavoy Allen converted a three-point play to put the Owls up 59-56 with just over a minute remaining.

Temple (5-2) led, 63-58, on two free throws by Ramone Moore with 17.6 seconds left, but Maryland (6-3) cut the lead to two on a three-pointer by freshman guard Terrell Stoglin with 4.7 seconds on the clock.

Moore made a free throw, and Maryland missed a desperation heave at the buzzer.

It was a victory that could pay huge dividends for Temple on Selection Sunday.

Combined with earlier wins over Seton Hall and Georgia, the win over Maryland gives the Owls victories over teams from the Big East, Southeastern Conference and the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Those are the type of victories that could boost a team's RPI and possibly helped them off the bubble at tournament time.