SAN ANTONIO (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive stands and timely shot-making, the Temple Owls weathered a dominant individual performance from Texas-San Antonio’s Baboucarr Njie to secure a 70-64 victory in an American Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at the Convocation Center.

The contest turned decisively in the final three minutes. With Temple clinging to a 56-54 lead, the Owls executed a critical defensive sequence. UTSA’s Austin Nunez drove the lane, but his layup attempt was emphatically blocked by Temple’s Babatunde Durodola. The Roadrunners retained possession, but Njie’s putback only tied the game at 56 with 3:17 remaining.

Temple (13-7, 4-3 AAC) responded immediately out of a timeout. On the ensuing possession, Aiden Tobiason finished a dunk off a feed from Durodola, restoring the lead. After a UTSA miss, Temple’s Jordan Mason secured the defensive rebound and was fouled. He split a pair of free throws to push the lead to 59-56.

The defensive pressure intensified. On UTSA’s next trip, Njie was stripped by Durodola, leading to a transition layup by Derrian Ford that gave Temple a 61-56 advantage with just over a minute to play. That five-point cushion proved insurmountable for the Roadrunners (4-16, 1-6), who could not muster another field goal until the final second.

Ford led the Owls with 21 points and eight rebounds, continuing his strong recent form. Mason added 18 points, and Tobiason contributed 15 points and four assists. Their efforts offset a spectacular performance from UTSA’s Njie, who finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. Brent Moss posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Roadrunners.

The game was a grind from the outset, with both teams struggling from the perimeter. UTSA shot just 2 of 15 from three-point range, while Temple was only slightly better at 5 of 15. The Owls compensated by being more efficient from the free-throw line, making 17 of 22 attempts compared to UTSA’s 6 of 8, and by forcing 11 turnovers which they converted into 19 fast-break points.

Temple’s defense was particularly effective in the half-court, recording 10 steals and seven blocks. Gavin Griffiths anchored the interior defense with three blocks. Despite being outscored 44-34 in the paint and surrendering 15 offensive rebounds to the Roadrunners, the Owls made key stops when it mattered most.

The victory completed a regular-season sweep for Temple, which defeated UTSA 76-57 in Philadelphia on Jan. 3. It also moved the Owls above .500 in conference play as they continue a push in the AAC standings.

For UTSA, the loss extended a difficult season, though the performance of Njie provided a bright spot. The Roadrunners have now lost 12 of their last 13 games.

Temple returns home to host Charlotte on Wednesday night. Texas-San Antonio will also be at home that afternoon, facing UAB.