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Owls look to feed off of Enechionyia's breakout game

Temple has lost its last two games, both at home by a total of three points. The Owls squandered double-digit second half leads in both games, but the team seemed bolstered by one development – the return as an offensive threat by Obi Enechionyia.

Temple has lost its last two games, both at home by a total of three points. The Owls squandered double-digit second half leads in both games, but the team seemed bolstered by one development – the return as an offensive threat by Obi Enechionyia.

The 6-foot-10 junior scored 17 points, all in the second half of Wednesday's 71-69 home loss to Central Florida.

How big was this game for Enechionyia?

It was the most points he scored since totaling 26 in a 78-72 win a St. Joseph's on Nov. 30.

Enechionyia was 5 for 8 from three-point range. That was the first time he shot 50 percent from beyond the arc since going 1 for 2 in an 81-74 loss at Cincinnati on Jan. 18.

"When he makes shots we are unbeatable," said sophomore guard Shizz Alston, who is averaging a team-high 13.7 points. "Even though we lost this one, I am taking away that he had 17 in second half. . .when he is hitting shots he is one of the best players in the country."

In the previous game, Sunday's 64-63 loss to Connecticut, Enechionyia had just two points and shot 0 for 2 from the field.

Enechionyia, who had shot 11 for 38 in his previous five games, seemed almost relieved to have a big offensive night.

"It felt good to finally get my shot back but I wish it came in a win," Enechionyia said . "It felt good to start hitting shot."

The question is can Temple get any semblance of momentum in its final two regular season games?

The Owls (14-15, 5-11 American Athletic Conference) host Tulane (5-22, 2-13) Saturday at noon and then visit South Florida (7-20, 1-15) in their regular season finale on March 5.

So the Owls will face the teams with the two worst conference records and the only two ahead of Temple in the standings. The Owls have already beaten Tulane and USF this season.

Temple's only chance to the NCAA Tournament is to win the AAC tourney and while that is an extreme longshot, the players remain confident.

"When Obi is making shots and Dan [Dingle] is playing well, if Q [Quinton Rose] is playing well, we are a tough team to play so I think we are going to make a deep run to win the [AAC] tournament," Alston said.

It will take more than Enechionyia getting hot to earn the Owls an extended stay in the AAC tournament. Temple, as the last two games have shown, must learn to close out games.

Dingle, the 6-foot-7 redshirt senior, has been the Owls most consistent player lately, having scored in double figures in 12 of the last 13 games. Rose, the 6-8 freshman, has taken an increased offensive role and has scored in double figures in four of the past five games.

The Owls simply need everybody on board at the same time.

Temple clearly believes it can beat anybody in the AAC, but it's time to prove it.

"I think we are close and almost there and we have had some close games," coach Fran Dunphy said. "We have to figure out how to get over the hump."

mnarducci@phillynews.com

@sjnard