KINGSTON, R.I. - Regardless of the sport, chemistry can be an elusive element. But that isn't the case with Temple's basketball team - specifically guards Ramone Moore, Khalif Wyatt, and Juan Fernandez.
The trio combined to torch Rhode Island for 47 points Saturday as the Owls cruised to a 73-56 Atlantic Ten Conference victory.
Temple's win, combined with La Salle's loss to St. Joseph's, vaulted the Owls (17-5, 6-2 A-10) into first place ahead of the Explorers (17-7, 6-3).
"We're all pretty good basketball players . . . all three of us," Wyatt said. "We all make shots and make each other better and get each other shots.
"I think it's hard to guard all three of us. We're also doing a good job of making everybody else better, too."
Wyatt was impossible to guard on one play in the latter part of the second half when he buried a three-point shot from well beyond what would have been the NBA's three-point arc.
That trey came during a 16-5 run that gave Temple a commanding 67-47 lead and enabled the Owls to extend their winning streak to a season-high six games.
"I don't think we killed it when we were attacking their zone," coach Fran Dunphy said. "Then, [Wyatt] stepped up and hit what was probably a 27-footer that was a big shot.
"I'm not surprised when he does it. I'm not surprised when he rises up. He can make that shot, so you don't get too angry with him when he tries it."
In order to take shots from that distance a player must possess an inordinate amount of confidence.
"My teammates and coaches have a lot of confidence in me," Wyatt said. "That gives me a lot of confidence in myself.
"I'm a pretty good shooter. When I'm open, I shoot the ball and don't think about it."
Temple almost shot Rhode Island out of the Ryan Center in the first half, when Moore keyed an 18-6 run. The Rams countered with seven consecutive points by Jonathan Holton (13) to pull within 41-33 at intermission.
But the shooting of Temple's guards plus its man-to-man defense never let Rhode Island get within sniffing distance of an upset.
"We have been getting off to some good starts offensively," Dunphy said. "As much as I appreciate that, I thought we guarded well throughout the game."
"I think any time we can guard to the point where we're holding teams to, in this case 36 percent, I'm proud of that."
