BROOKLYN, N.Y. – In the second game of the day from Brooklyn, Iowa outlasted Temple 72-70 in overtime. The game saw Temple overcome a double-digit second-half deficit. They forced overtime as Quenton DeCosey hit three free throws with seconds remaining in regulation.
Three points of emphasis:
- Little things are vital: Iowa missed some crucial free throws that could have put it on ice. In the end a missed box out assignment by the Owls left Adam Woodbury alone to finish a putback as time expired. “Woodbury is a tough rebounder,” Dunphy said. “We got hurt on the offensive boards all game.”
- Momentum swings did not hurt Iowa. The Hawkeyes had the lead with seconds left in regulation, only to foul a three-point shooter and see an extra session necessitated. In overtime Iowa built a short lead, lost it, yet battled back to put themselves in a position to win. Which they did.
- The numbers: In a 70-possession game, Iowa enjoyed a slight 103-101 edge in offensive efficiency. A few Iowa possessions were extended with multiple offensive rebounds. Still, in the final analysis Temple actually had a 34-27 edge in offensive rebounding percentage. Quenton Decosey ledd all scorers with 26 points. for Temple. Jarrod Uthoff paced the Hawkeyes with 23. Temple’s Jaylen Bond had 14 points and led all rebounders with 15. Temple finishes 21-12 while Iowa, 22-10, faces Villanova on Sunday.
“Tremendous opportunity for us to be in a game like that. These two guys (Quenton DeCosey and Jaylen Bond), to finish their careers in a great game like this. Proud of our kids but disappointed we will not play on Sunday…I thought Josh (Brown) was fantastic on both ends of the floor. His numbers were awesome….There was a stretch they (Iowa) seemed to hit every shot they took. As we made both comebacks I thought we were in pretty good shape. It hurts with the seniors. You love them, then they part ways and you hardly see them again. That’s a tough thing to deal with.” – Temple coach Fran Dunphy
“Have an all-league defensive player (Uthoff) with length or move his feet, we could put him in many positions. He affects the game with his defense. We played 45 minutes, executed down the stretch very well, but couldn’t get a shot to come down at the end. I thought our guys just kept at it. Give Temple credit, they come back that’s what they do. We had to come back. That’s why I am so proud of my guys… Difficult (to win in NCAA) playing someone you haven’t played on a neutral site and you have to figure out how you will play them.” – Iowa coach Fran McCaffery
