No. 3 Saint Joseph's 83, Temple 71

No. 3 Saint Joseph's 83, Temple 71
By MIKE GARAFOLO
Associated Press Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Jameer Nelson and Delonte West each had 21 points, and No. 3 Saint Joseph's set an Atlantic 10 record with 20 3-pointers to remain unbeaten with a 83-71 victory over Temple on Saturday.
Pat Carroll scored 20 and Chet Stachitas added 12 for the Hawks (18-0, 8-0), who extended their school-record winning streak to 18.
David Hawkins tied a career-high with 36 points for Temple (7-10, 2-5), the 12th straight game he has scored 20 or more. Mardy Collins had 21.
As they have done in most of their wins this season, the Hawks built an insurmountable lead early in the game and shut down their opponent with smothering defense.
After a putback by Dwayne Jones in the opening minute, the Hawks' next nine field goals were all 3-pointers. Nelson and Stachitas sank three each to give Saint Joseph's a 33-11 lead midway through the first half.
Carroll continued the streak with his third and hit his fourth in the half's final minute. The Owls' Dion Dacons then banked in a 12-footer to beat the halftime buzzer and cut the lead to 44-28.
West, who had a quiet five points in the first half, opened the second with two straight 3s around a jumper by Collins. Carroll made another 3-pointer and John Bryant hit a free throw to put Saint Joseph's ahead by 24.
West and Nelson hit back-to-back 3s with 8:45 remaining to give the Hawks their largest lead at 29.
But Saint Joseph's then went 7:20 without a field goal and Temple had a late 20-3 run to make the final score look respectable.
The previous conference record for 3s in a game was 19, accomplished three times since the Atlantic 10 was formed in 1976. The Owls had 19 twice.
Carroll, who entered the game having made 13 of his last 16 3-point attempts was 5-of-10 from beyond the arc. The Hawks had only four two-point field goals.
Before the game, Temple coach John Chaney received a standing ovation from the crowd and was presented with a framed jersey in honor of his 700th career win Wednesday over St. Bonaventure.
In the final minutes, the Temple rooting section chanted, "Overrated." The Hawks' fans responded with a cry of "Undefeated."