Temple's Stifling Defense Defeats Buffalo 54-39

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Anthony Lee scored 10 points and Temple used stifling defense to defeat Buffalo 54-39 Wednesday night and improve to 4-0 for the first time since the 2000-01 season.

The Owls took a 13-2 lead en route to a 31-16 halftime advantage. Lee, whose tip-in stunned the Bulls in last season's 87-85 overtime win in Philadelphia, scored eight first-half points as Temple shot 50 percent (12 of 24) while limiting Buffalo to 23.1 percent (6 of 26).

The Owls cooled off to 22.2 percent in the second half (6 of 27), but made 10 of 12 free throws. After the break, Buffalo (2-6) shot 42.3 percent (11 of 26), although missing its only free throw.

Temple held an opponent under 40 points for the first time since beating Bowling Green 63-39 on Dec. 28, 2009.

The output was Buffalo's lowest since losing to Miami (Ohio) 63-35 on Feb. 22, 2002.