North Texas erased a 12-point second-half deficit and rode a suffocating defensive stretch to a 65-62 road win over Temple on Sunday, turning Temple turnovers into transition points and snapping a four-game skid with their third straight victory. The Mean Green forced 16 Temple turnovers and converted them into 22 points, a decisive edge in a tight, sloppy affair at the Liacouras Center.
Quick Takeaway
Final: North Texas 65, Temple 62
Why North Texas won: Turnover margin and transition offense; Temple’s inability to convert late opportunities.
Momentum swing: North Texas’ steals and transition baskets in the second half erased Temple’s double-digit lead.
Game Flow
Temple opened with early miscues but built a halftime lead behind timely threes from Masiah Gilyard and Aiden Tobiason, taking a 28-22 advantage into the break. The first half was ugly offensively — Temple shot better (43%) while North Texas struggled from the floor (28%).
The Owls pushed the lead to 12 early in the second half as Gilyard continued to heat up from deep. That’s when North Texas flipped the script: a string of steals turned into quick transition buckets, led by EJ Horton, and the Mean Green methodically chipped away at the lead. After a series of free throws and a late-game exchange of baskets, Gavin Griffiths’s late miss from three sealed Temple’s fate as North Texas held on.
Turning Point
The decisive stretch came when North Texas turned Temple miscues into back-to-back transition scores off steals, cutting a double-digit deficit to single digits and forcing Temple out of its rhythm. From that point the Mean Green controlled the glass on momentum — getting bench and second-chance production that Temple couldn’t match.
Key Stats
Turnovers forced (Temple): 16 - 22 points off turnovers (North Texas)
Fast break points: Temple 8- North Texas 19
Bench points: Temple 18- North Texas 30
Second-chance points: Temple 13- North Texas 7
Free throws (Temple): 9-for-17
Those edges - especially fast break and bench scoring — told the story. Temple’s advantage at the line and in three-point shooting (Gilyard’s four triples) wasn’t enough to overcome the Mean Green’s hustle and depth.
Standout Performers
North Texas:
Dylan Arnett: 14 points, team-high 6 rebounds; defensive presence with a key block.
Je’Shawn Stevenson: 13 points; timely scoring late.
EJ Horton: 12 points; catalyst on the break with crucial steals and transition finishes.
Temple:
Darrian Ford: Team-high 20 points; late free throws kept Temple within striking distance.
Masiah Gilyard: 16 points off the bench, including four 3-pointers that opened the game.
Aiden Tobiason: 12 points; provided perimeter scoring.
What It Means
North Texas’ ability to manufacture points off turnovers and get production from the bench gives them renewed confidence as they head home. For Temple, the loss exposes late-game execution issues and a vulnerability to pressure that opponents can exploit — particularly in transition.
Up Next
Temple: Travels to UAB on Wednesday, aiming to stop a potential slide.
North Texas: Returns home Thursday to face Tulane, looking to build on this comeback and even its conference record.