KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Interstat) — In a back-and-forth battle decided at the free-throw line, the Temple Owls outlasted the Princeton Tigers 79 to 75 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Tuesday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

The contest, played before an announced crowd of 710, was a tale of two halves defined by offensive execution and a frantic finish. Temple improved its season record to 4-2, while Princeton fell to 3-5.

Princeton controlled the opening period, leveraging its three-point shooting to build a lead. The Tigers connected on 12 shots from beyond the arc in the game, with several coming in the first half to help them establish a 36 to 32 advantage at the break. Jackson Hicke was a primary catalyst for Princeton, scoring efficiently from multiple levels.

The second half saw a dramatic shift as Temple’s offense found its rhythm. The Owls exploded for 47 points after halftime, consistently attacking the basket and drawing fouls. Temple attempted 41 free throws, making 28, a stark contrast to Princeton’s 11-of-16 performance from the line. This disparity proved decisive in the tightly-contested final minutes.

Derrian Ford led all scorers for Temple, pouring in 21 points. His ability to get to the free-throw line was crucial, and he played 36 minutes in the victory. He was supported by Aiden Tobiason, who added 16 points, and Jordan Mason, who contributed 11 points and a team-high six assists.

For Princeton, Jackson Hicke delivered a standout performance with 22 points, showcasing a versatile scoring arsenal. Jack Stanton was also instrumental, finishing with 18 points and dishing out five assists to lead the Tigers.

Despite shooting a higher percentage from the floor, Princeton was ultimately undone by Temple’s aggressive offensive style. The Owls scored 18 fastbreak points compared to just three for the Tigers, and they also capitalized more on turnovers, holding a 16 to 12 edge in points off turnovers.

Defensively, Temple’s length caused problems, as the Owls blocked three shots, with Gavin Griffiths recording two of them. Princeton committed nine turnovers to Temple’s 10 in a game where ball security was relatively even.

The game’s closing moments were tense. Temple managed to protect its narrow lead by converting critical free throws down the stretch, ultimately sealing the four-point victory.

Temple’s offense operated with high efficiency, scoring 79 points on 66 possessions for an offensive rating of 118.8. Princeton’s offensive rating was a strong 110.9, but it was not enough to overcome Temple’s second-half surge and advantage at the charity stripe.

Both teams are scheduled for quick turnarounds. Temple will face Rhode Island on Wednesday at the same venue in Kissimmee, while Princeton is set to take on Vermont. The two programs are slated for a rematch on Dec. 22 at Temple.