Temple Stuns No. 18 Memphis with Gritty Home Victory Behind Dominant Rebounding Effort

PHILADELPHIA — In a display of resilience and determination, the Temple University men’s basketball team delivered one of its most impressive performances of the season, upsetting No. 18 Memphis, 88–81, Thursday night at the Liacouras Center in American Athletic Conference (AAC) play. Led by graduate guard Jamal Mashburn Jr.'s 21 points and a collective rebounding onslaught, the Owls continued their undefeated home streak, improving to 7-0 in Philadelphia this season.

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Battle of Wills: How It Unfolded

The early stages of the game saw a competitive back-and-forth exchange, with neither side able to establish clear dominance. However, a pivotal 7–0 Temple run midway through the first half forced a Memphis timeout and gave the Owls their first meaningful cushion at 23–17.

Senior forward Shane Dezonie, a key presence all night, fueled the surge with a pair of timely three-pointers, helping the Owls push the lead to nine points. Temple would carry a 36–30 advantage into the break, buoyed by a commanding 22–12 rebounding edge and Mashburn Jr.’s steady offensive hand (11 points in the first half).

The momentum carried over into the second half, where sophomore Quante Berry immediately extended the lead with a three-pointer on the opening possession. Senior Steve Settle III followed suit with another triple to stretch the margin to double digits, and at one point, the Owls enjoyed a 15-point lead.

Yet, as expected from a nationally ranked opponent, Memphis refused to fold. Sparked by a three-pointer from Colby Rogers and a three-point play from AAC scoring leader PJ Haggerty, the Tigers clawed back to make it a one-possession game with just over six minutes remaining.

With Temple's lead trimmed to two points, Mashburn Jr. delivered the play of the game, drilling a crucial three-pointer to swing momentum back to the Owls. From there, Temple showed poise under pressure, countering every Memphis run and maintaining their composure at the free-throw line to close out the upset.

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Dominance on the Glass Defines the Night

Perhaps the most startling statistic from the evening was Temple’s sheer dominance on the boards. The Owls outrebounded Memphis 49–25, a +24 margin that marked their best performance on the glass since a +29 rebounding effort against Saint Joseph’s in December 2019.

Dezonie recorded his second straight double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, anchoring Temple’s interior presence. Settle III contributed six rebounds alongside his 11 points, while Mashburn Jr. and freshman Aiden Tobiason each added five boards, underscoring a full team effort in the paint.

Sophomore Quante Berry also turned in a career-best performance, scoring 19 points on an efficient 8-of-12 shooting night. Zion Stanford chipped in 10 points to give Temple five players in double figures, highlighting the team’s balanced offensive attack.

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Haggerty's Late Surge Not Enough

For Memphis, star guard PJ Haggerty, who entered the night as the second-leading scorer in the AAC, struggled early but heated up late. Held to just two points in the first half, Haggerty ultimately finished with 21 points, providing the Tigers with a lifeline during their second-half rally. However, Temple's defense tightened in key moments to keep the visitors at bay.

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A Statement Win for Temple

This win signifies more than just another notch in the victory column for Temple—it represents a statement of the program’s growth and resilience under head coach Adam Fisher. Beating a ranked opponent, especially in a physical and emotional contest, injects confidence into a team still building its identity in a competitive AAC landscape.

Temple’s ability to dominate the glass, execute offensively in high-pressure situations, and maintain composure down the stretch reflects the grit and toughness often associated with the best Temple teams of the past.

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Looking Ahead

Now sitting at 11–6 overall and 3–1 in AAC play, the Owls will look to build on this momentum as they continue their two-game homestand. They will host Tulane on Sunday, January 19, with tipoff set for 1:00 p.m. The game will be televised nationally on ESPNU, offering Temple another platform to showcase its emergence as a serious contender within the conference.

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Broader Context: The AAC Landscape

Temple’s upset shakes up a conference already showing signs of volatility this season. With Memphis, Florida Atlantic, and UAB vying for top positions, Temple's rise introduces another threat into what promises to be a thrilling race toward March. As Temple leans into its physical identity, especially rebounding dominance, the Owls could become a team that few opponents want to see come tournament time.