PHILADELPHIA, FEB. 14, 2016 – Freshman Jahmal McMurray scored a game-high 24 points, but the USF men's basketball team lost to first-place Temple, 77-65, Sunday afternoon in front of 7,560 at the Liacouras Center.

The Topeka, Kan., native eclipsed the 20-point plateau for the fifth time this season with the help of a 4-of-7 effort from 3-point range. McMurray matched his career best in rebounding with five to help the Bulls (5-21, 2-11 American Athletic Conference) finish even in the rebounding total, 29-29. However, the Owls (16-8, 10-3) had seven more offensive boards (14-7) and committed 12 fewer turnovers (20-8) to remain in first-place in the conference.

“You have to give Temple a lot of credit,” said head coach Orlando Antigua. “They do this to a lot of teams in our conference. They play solid defense and they try to get you out of rhythm and they did a good job of that.”

Shot-making was not a problem as USF finished 55.1 percent from the field, its second-best shooting performance of the season (63.3 vs. Jacksonville). It was also the most against a Temple opponent all season. USF was an efficient 6-for-13 from 3-point range, its most makes in 12 games.

Temple made 14 of its first 18 shots and led by as many as 15 points, 34-19, with 7:30 remaining in the half. The Bulls then held the Owls to one made field goal in their next 15 attempts. A buzzer-beater from half court by McMurray cut the deficit to nine points, 40-31.

“Every time we got close, Temple made a big play, a big shot, or we gave up a big offensive rebound,” said Antigua. “If we take care of the ball and rebound, with the way we shot the ball, you are supposed to win this type of game. We have to keep finishing off possessions.”

A long McMurray field goal capped a 15-9 run for the Bulls and brought them to within four points, 53-49, with 13:43 remaining. The Owls responded with an 11-0 run over the next four minutes to increase their lead to 64-49 with just over nine minute left. USF cut the deficit to single-digits, 64-55 with 7:14 remaining after two McMurray free throws, but that was as close as the Bulls would get. The next score in the game was a 3-pointer by Temple's Devin Coleman to put the Owls up 12 points.

Jaylen Bond led Temple with 18 points and 14 rebounds.

USF senior Nehemias Morillo had his second-best point total of the season with 16 on 7-of-12 shooting from the field including 2-of-4 from 3-point range. Sophomore Ruben Guerrero had 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting and recorded five rebounds and two blocked shots. Fellow big man Jaleel Cousins had six points and five rebounds.

“He did a nice job,” said Antigua of Guerrero. “We have challenged Ruben that he can produce like that for us, he needs to produce like that for us. We need a better effort, not just from him, but from everyone on the glass. We gave up 14 offensive rebounds and that's an area that is supposed to be a strength for us because of our size.”

USF will have a quick turnaround as it plays at East Carolina on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The game will be shown on ESPN3.

The USF men's basketball team is led by Orlando Antigua, who is in his second season as the head coach after spending the previous six season as an assistant to Naismith Hall of Fame coach John Calipari. USF has played the toughest schedule in the American Athletic Conference and one of the toughest schedules in the NCAA. USF has retired three numbers in its 45-year history: Chucky Atkins (12), Charlie Bradley (30) and Radenko Dobras (31). The Bulls have earned three NCAA tournament bids and appeared in the NIT eight times. In the 2011-12 season, USF was one win away from an appearance in the Sweet 16.