PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — The Temple Owls opened their season with a decisive victory, overpowering the Delaware State Hornets 83 to 65 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Wednesday night at Liacouras Center.

Fueled by a dominant second-half performance and a game-high 23 points from Aiden Tobiason, the Owls pulled away after halftime to secure the win in front of 3,637 fans. The victory was a display of efficiency and control for the home team, which capitalized on its opportunities while stifling the Delaware State offense for long stretches.

The first half offered a glimpse of a competitive contest, with Temple taking a 35 to 27 lead into the break. The Hornets, however, were unable to sustain their effort against Temple’s more potent and disciplined attack after the intermission. The Owls erupted for 48 points in the second half, nearly matching their first-half total in the final 20 minutes alone, while Delaware State managed 38.

The statistical ledger painted a clear picture of Temple’s comprehensive performance. The Owls were markedly more efficient on offense, scoring 83 points on just 64 possessions for an offensive rating of 128.8. Delaware State, by contrast, managed 65 points from 67 possessions, an offensive rating of 96.8. Temple’s superior ball security was a critical factor, as they committed only six turnovers while forcing 13 from the Hornets. That advantage translated directly to the scoreboard, where Temple scored 21 points off turnovers compared to just nine for Delaware State.

Tobiason led all scorers with his 23-point effort, setting the tone for the Owls’ offensive execution. He was complemented by a strong supporting cast, with Gavin Griffiths adding 16 points and five rebounds. The Temple backcourt was particularly effective, as Jordan Mason facilitated the offense with a team-high six assists to go with his 10 points, while Derrian Ford chipped in 14 points and three assists.

Inside, the Owls established a clear advantage, outscoring the Hornets 46 to 30 in the paint. Babatunde Durodola anchored that effort, pulling down eight rebounds and registering two blocks. AJ Smith provided a spark off the bench, contributing 10 points in just 16 minutes of action.

For Delaware State, the loss in their season opener was highlighted by the play of Zion Bethea, who recorded a double-double with 20 points and eight rebounds. Ponce James provided a creative presence, dishing out five assists and scoring 16 points. Ademar Santos also reached double figures, finishing with 15 points and five rebounds.

Despite shooting a respectable 43.8 percent from three-point range, the Hornets were ultimately undone by their inability to take care of the basketball and their struggles to contain Temple’s efficient, multi-pronged offensive attack. The Owls shot 54.4 percent from the floor overall and 38.1 percent from beyond the arc.

The result was in line with pregame expectations, as statistical models gave Temple a 94.3 percent probability of victory. The Owls also covered the pregame spread of -18.5. The total combined score of 148 fell short of the over/under line of 154.5.

With the win, Temple begins its season with a record of 1 win and 0 losses. The Owls will look to build on this momentum when they return to the Liacouras Center to host city rival La Salle on Tuesday, Nov. 11.

Delaware State, now 0 wins and 1 losses, faces a quick turnaround and a challenging road trip. The Hornets are set to travel to face the Syracuse Orange on Saturday, Nov. 8, followed by a game at Niagara on Monday, Nov. 10.

The game served as a successful debut for Temple’s 2025-26 campaign, showcasing a balanced and efficient team capable of overwhelming an opponent with a decisive second-half surge. For Delaware State, the contest revealed areas in need of improvement, particularly in ball security and defensive consistency, as they head into a difficult early-season schedule.