Damian Dunn scores 16, Temple defeats No. 1 Houston

Associated Press
Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023 5:51 p.m. | Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023 5:51 p.m.

Go Ad-Free Today!

AP

Houston’s Tramon Mark (12) is fouled by Temple’s Nick Jourdain (11) as Damian Dunn (1) helps defend during the first half in Houston.

AP

Houston’s Tramon Mark (12) goes up for a shot as Temple’s Nick Jourdain (11) and Zach Hicks, left, defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, in Houston.

AP

Houston’s J’Wan Roberts (13) charges into Temple’s Nick Jourdain (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, in Houston.

AP

Houston coach Kelvin Sampson reacts to a foul call during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Temple Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, in Houston.

AP

Temple’s Damian Dunn (1) is fouled by Houston’s Reggie Chaney as he shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, in Houston.

AP

Houston’s Jarace Walker (25) goes up for a shot as Temple’s Zach Hicks (24) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, in Houston.

HOUSTON — Damian Dunn scored 16 points and made the go-ahead free throw as Kur Jongkuch blocked Houston’s go-ahead attempt in the final seconds as Temple held on and defeated the top-ranked Cougars 56-55 on Sunday.

Temple improved to 3-18 against No. 1 ranked teams. The Owls (12-9, 6-2 American Athletic Conference) earned their first win over a No. 1 ranked team since a 77-69 win at No. 1 Cincinnati on Feb. 20, 2000.

Tied at 55, Dunn made a free throw with 1:06 left to give Temple a one-point lead. 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.

Trailing by one, Shead drove to the basket but Jongkuch blocked it out of the bounds with 1.3 seconds left. Tramon Mark’s tip-in attempt fell short at the buzzer to give the Owls the win.

Zach Hicks added 12 points for Temple, which snapped a six-game losing streak to Houston. The Owls shot 31% but were 20 of 22 from the free throw line.

Shead scored 13 points, and Marcus Sasser added 12 points for Houston (18-2, 6-1), which saw its nine-game winning streak snapped.

Houston shot 34% but were 11 of 21 from the free throw line.

Tied at 47, Temple used an 8-1 spurt to open up a 55-48 lead on two free throws by Jourdain with 6½ minutes remaining. Houston responded with a 7-0 run to tie it at 55.