Tulane University men's basketball (13-9, 4-6) snapped a three-game losing streak after holding on to outlast Temple (8-14, 1-8) in overtime 92-80 on Sunday afternoon. After the Owls rallied to send the game to an extra period, the Green Wave flipped to momentum back in its favor outscoring Temple 16-4 in overtime.
With the win Tulane avoided its first four-game losing streak since the 2020-21 season and win its fourth consecutive game over the Owls. The Wave improved 10-14 all-time against Temple including a 5-7 record in Uptown. The victory also moved Tulane to 2-0 this season in overtime.
The charity stripe provided a major impact in the contest for the Wave. Tulane shot 88.6 percent, 31-of-35, from the free throw line in the game including 24 consecutive makes to end the game. The Green Wave put the game away at the charity stripe by shooting a perfect 8-for-8 in overtime.
As a team, the Wave shot 54.7 percent from the field marking the 11th time this season and only the second time in conference play Tulane has connected on at least 50 percent of its shots from the floor. The high shooting percentage was possible because Tulane attacked the rim against the Owls scoring 48 points in the paint.
Four players finished in double figures in scoring for the Green Wave led by the duo of Kevin Cross and Collin Holloway with 20-point performances. Cross tallied 27 points for the second consecutive game and notched his 11th game this season with at least 20 points. The senior forward was 6-of-10 from the floor and 15-of-16 from the free throw line on the day. Cross also added seven rebounds and a team-high five assists. Holloway recorded his fourth 20-point game of the year finishing with 21 on 8-of-12 shooting to go with seven boards and three assists.
Sion James and Tre' Williams rounded out the double figure scorers for Tulane tallying 12 points apiece. James also pulled down a team-high eight rebounds while Williams led the team in blocks with two.
Tulane got quality minutes off the bench from a few players against the Owls as well. Kolby King and Asher Woods each scored seven points while Percy Daniels added four of his own.
Temple got out to an early advantage in the first half as the Wave trailed 12-6 nearly six minutes into the contest. However, a Cross dunk with 12:43 on the clock sparked 15-2 run by Tulane over the next five minutes to claim a 21-14 lead. The Wave and the Owls traded baskets the remainder of the half with Tulane's lead never extending to more than seven points before hitting the break with Tulane up 34-29.
After a few minutes going back and forth to open the second half, Temple began chipping away at the Tulane lead ultimately pulling it to a tie at 48-48 then taking its first lead (50-49) since it was 12-10. The two teams exchanged the lead three times over the next three minutes and change until the Green Wave scored nine unanswered to go up 57-66 with 3:58 to play.
The Owls did not back down in those closing minutes of regulation fighting back to pull within one with 25 second left before Hysier Miller tied the game with a three-pointer with seven seconds remaining to force overtime.
In the extra period Tulane used an 8-0 scoring run to claim control of the contest and take an 88-78 advantage with 1:28 on the clock. The Green Wave ultimately put the game away with a pair of free throws by Cross and a layup by Woods to secure the 92-80 victory.
Up next, Tulane will hit the road to take on the Memphis Tigers next Sunday, February 11. Tipoff between the Green Wave and the Tigers is set for 1 p.m. on either ESPN2 or ESPNU.