Pepper leads Temple with 24 points in a 71-64 victory against No. 23 SMU

Southern Methodist's Ben Moore (34) shoots over Temple's Jimmy McDonnell during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez) (The Associated Press)

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Southern Methodist coach Larry Brown reacts to an official's call during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Temple, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez) (The Associated Press)

PHILADELPHIA – Dalton Pepper scored 24 points and Temple defeated No. 23 SMU 71-64 on Sunday.

Playing without injured starter and leading rebounder in Anthony Lee, Temple (7-17, 2-10 American Athletic Conference) knocked a top-25 opponent for the first time since March 10 against No. 21 VCU. The Owls were 0-5 against the Top 25 this season, but have now beaten a ranked opponent in each of the last seven seasons.

The Mustangs (20-6, 9-4) had a four-game winning streak snapped at the end of what has been an eventful week for coach Larry Brown's team. It started with SMU entering the AP rankings for the first time in 29 years. The Mustangs had their game at Rutgers pushed back from Thursday to Friday because of a winter storm in the northeast.

They then made a short trip from Piscataway, N.J., to Philadelphia, and lost on the road for the sixth time this season.