March 5, 2008

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Dionte Christmas scored a career-high 37 points, including 24 in the second half, as Temple held off Duquesne 90-85 and moved into second place in the Atlantic 10 conference.

Sergio Olmos added a career-high 16 points and Mark Tyndale had 15 for the Owls (17-12, 10-5 Atlantic 10), who made 22 of 26 foul shots in Wednesday's game.

Reggie Jackson also had a career high with 25 points and Kieron Achara scored 24 for Duquesne (16-12, 6-9). The Dukes were without leading scorer and rebounder Shawn James, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury.

The Owls led 57-44 on a 3-pointer by Christmas with 14:14 left, but Kojo Mensah sparked an 18-5 Duquesne run to cut the lead to 63-62.

With Temple leading 68-66, Christmas scored eight points during a 9-3 spurt, but the Dukes rallied again and closed to 82-79 at the 1:27 mark on a 3-point shot by Achara. Luis Guzman and Ryan Brooks then hit two free throws each for the Owls to secure the win.