No. 8 SMU Becomes Last Division I Team To Lose

SMU coach Larry Brown watched with a mixture of disbelief and amazement as Temple students rushed the court when the final buzzer sounded.

"I almost got in it," Brown said. "I never thought that would ever happen."

That's what happens when a team comes to town with a perfect record and leave with its first loss.

Eighth-ranked SMU became the last Division I team to lose this season when Devin Coleman scored a career-high 23 points and led Temple to an 89-80 win Sunday.

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The Mustangs (18-1, 7-1 American Athletic Conference) were off to the best start in team history.

"We've got to start again," Brown said.

SMU is ineligible for postseason play this year because of NCAA infractions.

"Our motivation is to try to get better and make it a special year for the seniors," the SMU coach said. "And this loss is not going to take that away."

Coleman made all eight of his field goal attempts and all seven of his 3-point shots coming off the bench to thwart SMU's bid at perfection. Quenton DeCosey added 19 for the Owls (11-7, 5-2) in their highest-scoring game of the season.

The crowd at the Liacouras Center was smaller than usual after the game was pushed back a day because of the winter storm that blanketed the East Coast.

But that didn't stop the fans from making their voices heard as Temple stretched its lead to 19 in the second half and for students to rush the court when the game ended.

"I think this does a lot for our (NCAA tournament) resume," DeCosey said. "It shows people we can beat anybody."

Sterling Brown scored 19 points to lead SMU. Jordan Tolbert added 15 points on 7-for-9 shooting and Ben Moore had 13 for the Mustangs, who shot just 3 for 14 from 3-point range.

After SMU pulled within five midway through the second half, Coleman made two straight 3s to cap an 11-0 spurt and help Temple pull away.

Coleman matched the school record for long-distance accuracy, tying the 7-for-7 performance on 3s by Pepe Sanchez on Feb. 16, 1997 vs. Rhode Island.

"He was playing `Horse,"' Brown said. "Once he got going, he was unstoppable."

Overall, the Owls shot 14 for 29 on 3-pointers, the most they've hit all season. Daniel Dingle added 14 points for Temple, which has won five of its last six games.