PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — Florida Atlantic rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat Temple 79-73 in an American Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Sunday at Liacouras Center. Temple led 34-30 at halftime, but Florida Atlantic surged with 49 second-half points. Aiden Tobiason led all scorers with 23 points for Temple. Josiah Parker paced Florida Atlantic with 22 points. The game drew an attendance of 2,588. Florida Atlantic improved to 13-6 overall, while Temple fell to 11-7. The teams are scheduled to meet again in Boca Raton on Feb. 25.

PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — In a clash of American Athletic Conference Owls defined by rugged defense and interior dominance, Florida Atlantic used a decisive second-half surge to outlast Temple 79-73 on Sunday at Liacouras Center. The visiting Florida Atlantic squad, overcoming a cold shooting afternoon from the perimeter, leaned on a massive advantage in the paint and a critical 14-2 run midway through the second half to erase a deficit and secure its third consecutive conference victory. The win improved Florida Atlantic to 13-6 overall, while Temple fell to 11-7. The game’s pivotal sequence began with just under 12 minutes remaining and Florida Atlantic trailing 45-43. Over the next four minutes, the visitors unleashed a relentless assault on the rim. The run was fueled by Josiah Parker, who scored eight of his team-high 22 points during the stretch, including a powerful hook shot and a putback. Maxim Logue, who provided a crucial spark off the bench with 12 points, also contributed a tip-in during the surge. When Devin Vanterpool capped the run with a driving layup, Florida Atlantic had transformed a two-point deficit into a 57-47 lead with 8:18 to play, a margin Temple would never fully recover from. Temple, led by a game-high 23 points from Aiden Tobiason of Wilmington, Delaware, and 22 points from Derrian Ford, struggled to find consistent offense outside of the foul line. The home team shot just 21 of 57 from the field, a meager 36.8 percent, and connected on only 6 of 22 three-point attempts. Their saving grace was a 25-for-32 performance on free throws, which kept them within striking distance. Florida Atlantic’s offensive strategy was clear: attack the basket at all costs. They attempted only 19 three-pointers, making three, but dominated inside with 52 points in the paint compared to Temple’s 30. This interior focus was reflected in the rebounding battle, where Florida Atlantic held a 46-39 edge, including 15 offensive boards that led to 18 second-chance points. Despite the poor overall shooting, Temple managed a 34-30 halftime lead behind Tobiason’s 13 first-half points. Florida Atlantic’s offense, however, found its rhythm after the break, shooting 49.1 percent in the second half while scoring 49 points. Parker’s efficiency was key; the 6-foot-7 forward from Leesburg, Georgia, needed just 23 minutes to compile his 22 points, adding a block and seven rebounds. Temple made a frantic push in the final minute. After a Ford layup cut the deficit to 70-68 with 41 seconds left, Florida Atlantic’s Parker answered with a layup and a free throw. Tobiason then hit a deep three-pointer with 12 seconds remaining to pull Temple within 75-73, but Florida Atlantic’s Kanaan Carlyle of Atlanta sealed the game by calmly sinking two free throws with four seconds on the clock. Beyond Parker and Logue, Florida Atlantic received balanced contributions. Xander Pintelon of Bruges, Belgium, scored 12 points, Vanterpool added 12, and Niccolo Moretti of Bologna, Italy, directed the offense with four assists. For Temple, Gavin Griffiths of Simsbury, Connecticut, provided 14 points and two blocks. The game was a defensive struggle, with both teams posting offensive ratings below 100. Florida Atlantic scored 0.975 points per possession, while Temple managed 0.948. The visitors also forced 15 Temple turnovers, converting them into 14 points. Florida Atlantic, which entered the game as a slight 1.5-point favorite, covered the spread. The combined score of 152 fell just under the over/under line of 151.5. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Florida Atlantic had a 59 percent pregame probability to win. Florida Atlantic will look to continue its momentum when it hosts Tulane on Wednesday. Temple, meanwhile, aims to rebound on the road at Rice on Wednesday. The two teams are scheduled for a rematch in Boca Raton on February 25.

Owls vs. Owls: FAU Visits Temple in Key AAC Clash PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — In a matchup of teams sharing a nickname but pursuing the same goal, the Florida Atlantic Owls visit the Temple Owls on Sunday in a pivotal American Athletic Conference men’s basketball game at Liacouras Center. Both teams enter with momentum and nearly identical records. Florida Atlantic (12-6, 3-2 AAC) has won three straight, including an 85-67 rout of Wichita State on Thursday. Temple (11-6, 3-1) had its three-game winning streak snapped in a narrow 55-53 loss at Memphis on Wednesday. The game features a compelling duel between standout wings. Florida Atlantic is led by Isaiah Elohim, who averages 15.2 points per game. He scored 18 points in 26 minutes off the bench in the win over Wichita State and has reached double figures in six consecutive contests. Temple counters with Gavin Griffiths, a formidable two-way force. The 6-foot-9 junior is averaging 16.1 points and leads the AAC in blocks, swatting 18 shots over his last four games. He posted 24 points and four blocks in a win over East Carolina last week. Florida Atlantic’s recent surge has been fueled by balanced scoring. Alongside Elohim, guard Kanaan Carlyle also scored 18 against Wichita State, and center Devin Williams added 14 points and three blocks. The Owls from Boca Raton average 82.2 points per game. Temple relies on a stout defense, allowing just 66.2 points per game, ranking second in the conference. In their last home game, they held UTSA to 57 points in a 19-point victory. Derrian Ford, who scored 14 at Memphis, provides backcourt support for Griffiths. This is the first of two regular-season meetings between the programs. They will meet again in Florida on Feb. 25. The game is critical for early positioning in a crowded AAC race. Temple looks to protect its home court, where it is 8-1 this season. Florida Atlantic aims to extend its winning streak and improve a 2-3 road record. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. EST Sunday. Temple travels to Rice on Wednesday, while Florida Atlantic’s next game is at South Florida on Jan. 25.