PHILADELPHIA – Lavoy Allen had 12 rebounds and became Temple's career leader in that category in the 23rd-ranked Owls' 66-52 win over Saint Joseph's on Sunday.
Allen scored 14 points for the Owls (21-5, 11-2 Atlantic 10) and passed John Baum on the school's career rebounding list. Baum, Temple's radio analyst, grabbed 1,042 rebounds in only three seasons. Allen, a 6-foot-9 senior forward, helped the Owls win their eighth straight game overall and ninth straight over their city-rival Hawks (7-19, 2-10).
Allen, who has 1,045 rebounds, set the record on a weekend former Temple greats Eddie Jones, Aaron McKie and Rick Brunson were inducted into the school's Hall of Fame. Former coach John Chaney watched from press row as Allen etched his name in team history.
Allen scored eight points during Temple's 14-4 run late in the second half that broke the game open and kept the Owls rolling into Wednesday's game at No. 5 Duke.
Temple fans came dressed for a funeral — students wore all black T-shirts that read "RIP The Hawk" and passed a coffin down the stands for the SJU mascot that never stops flapping its wings.
Saint Joseph's, having its worst season under coach Phil Martelli, briefly came back to life midway through the second half when two 3-pointers got them within eight.
Allen got the Owls motoring.
Accused of playing without passion at times, Allen sparked the Owls with a one-handed jam and a nifty spin move down the lane that gave them a 14-point lead. He was 7 of 10 from the field and grabbed 10 defensive rebounds.
The Owls are counting on those double-doubles down the stretch. They lost forward Micheal Eric for the season with a fractured right patella and on Sunday they played without Scootie Randall (foot), who is day to day.
Down two starters, the Owls shot 48 percent in the first half to jump all over their fallen rival. Saint Joseph's failed to win a city series game this season and the program was hit this week with off-court trouble.
Hawks guard Patrick Swilling is no longer enrolled at the school and center Todd O'Brien will not play until the completion of the university's judicial process.
Swilling did not play last week against Xavier because of an unspecified violation of the school's code of conduct. O'Brien sat out that game because of a failure to comply with the university's community standards.
Swilling averaged 1.4 points and O'Brien 1.2.
Martelli called it a school issue that he was made aware of last week and has otherwise declined comment.
The Owls used an 11-0 run and an efficient 10 assists on 13 baskets to lead 35-23 at halftime.
Allen, though, was the show in the second half with fans counting down to the milestone rebound.
"Lavoy Allen is a great guy," Baum said. "It's a great privilege for me to be connected with him."
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