PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Juan Fernandez scored Temple's last points with 2:01 remaining Wednesday and the No. 22 Owls held on for an 80-79 overtime win over LaSalle.
Temple survived for its first victory since entering the national rankings, taking advantage of a series of late missed shots by the Explorers.
Neither side could score during the final 1:25 of regulation, after LaSalle's Earl Pettis made two technical free throws and a 3-pointer to deadlock the contest at 71-71.
Two foul shots from Fernandez gave Temple an 80-74 lead but LaSalle closed within three on a 3-pointer from Tyreek Duren with 1:52 to go in the extra period.
After Pettis added a jumper with 55 seconds left, Fernandez missed an outside shot for the Owls.
Both Pettis and Sam Mills missed 3-point tries in the final 5 seconds to leave Temple with the victory.
Temple (22-5, 11-2 Atlantic 10 Conference) won its 11th straight game, getting 25 points from Khalif Wyatt and 18 each from Michael Eric and Ramone Moore. The Owls have a one-game lead over St. Louis in the conference race.
LaSalle (18-10, 7-6) was led by Pettis with 33 points.
