FORT WORTH, Texas – No. 11 Temple won its fourth game in four days, defeating No. 2 Florida Atlantic, 74-73, in the semifinals of the 2024 American Men’s Basketball Championship on Saturday, March 16 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
With the win, Temple (16-19) advanced to its first American Championship final and will face No. 4 UAB on Sunday, March 17 at 3:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. CT on ESPN. Temple becomes the lowest seed to make a Championship final appearance, is the first Championship team to win four games in four days.
Temple will become just the third team to play five games in five days at a conference tournament, joining UConn, who won the 2011 Big East Tournament, and NC State, which is playing in the 2024 ACC Championship final Saturday night.
Shane Dezonie made a jumper with 2:33 remaining to break a 64-64 tie to give Temple the lead for good. In the last minute, Nick Boyd hit a jumper and Johnell Davis made three free throws for Florida Atlantic (25-8) to cut the lead to one with 29 seconds left. Dezonie hit two free throws with 14 seconds remaining before Nick Boyd brought it back to one with a pair of free throws. Johnell Davis drove to the lane in the last couple of seconds, but Hysier Miller came up with the steal to seal the Temple win.
Miller led Temple with 21 points, while Jordan Riley recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Vladislav Goldin led the Owls with 23 points, while Davis had 18 points.
2024 American Men’s Basketball Championship Schedule
Wednesday, March 13
Game 1 – No. 12 Wichita State 88, No. 13 Rice 81
Game 2 – No. 11 Temple 64, No. 14 UTSA 61
Thursday, March 14
Game 3 – No. 8 East Carolina, 84, No. 9 Tulsa 79
Game 4 – No. 12 Wichita State 71, No. 5 Memphis 65
Game 5 – No. 7 North Texas 81, No. 10 Tulane 71
Game 6 – No. 11 Temple 75, No. 6 SMU 60
Friday, March 15
Game 7 – No. 1 South Florida 81, No. 8 East Carolina 59
Game 8 – No. 4 UAB 72, No. 12 Wichita State 60
Game 9 – No. 2 Florida Atlantic 77, No. 7 North Texas 71
Game 10 – No. 11 Temple 58, No. 3 Charlotte 54
Saturday, March 16
Game 11 – Semifinal 1, No. 4 UAB 93, No. 1 South Florida 83
Game 12 – Semifinal 2, No. 11 Temple 74, No. 2 Florida Atlantic 73
Sunday, March 17
Game 13 – Championship, No. 4 UAB vs. No. 11 Temple – 3:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. CT | ESPN
