The unranked Temple Owls defeated the No 1 Houston Cougars on Sunday, 56-55.
SportsCenter captured the game’s final moments:
CLUTCH WHEN IT MATTERED THE MOST 🚨
Kur Jongkuch and Temple's defense shut down No. 1 Houston in the final seconds to secure the Owls' biggest upset in over two decades! pic.twitter.com/9YGFIzd1qi
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 22, 2023
“CLUTCH WHEN IT MATTERED THE MOST [rotating light emoji],” SportsCenter tweeted. “Kur Jongkuch and Temple’s defense shut down No. 1 Houston in the final seconds to secure the Owls’ biggest upset in over two decades!”
The loss was the second of the season for the Cougars. Temple moved to 3-18 all-time vs. No. 1 ranked teams. As ESPN noted, this is the Owls’ first win over a No. 1 ranked team since defeating Cincinnati on Feb. 20th, 2000.
Temple guard Damian Dunn scored 16 points and made the go-ahead free throw. Kur Jongkuch blocked Houston’s ensuing go-ahead attempt for the win.
ESPN provided a recap of the game’s closing minutes:
Tied at 55, Dunn made a free throw with 1:06 left to give Temple a one-point lead. Houston’s Jamal Shead missed a 3-pointer and Nick Jourdain grabbed the rebound. Dunn missed a layup with 8 seconds left, and Jongkuch grabbed the rebound, but the Owls were whistled for a shot clock violation upon review.
Zach Hicks added 12 points for the Owls, who entered the contest on a three-game losing streak. Houston defeated Temple, 66-61, two weeks ago.
Temple hosts the South Florida Bulls on Wednesday. Houston faces the Central Florida Golden Knights on the road.
[ESPN]
