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Fernandez's last-second shot lifts Temple over Penn State

Mar 17, 2011 - 10:53 PM Tucson, AZ (Sports Network) - Juan Fernandez hit a contested jumper with just 0.4 seconds left on the clock as Temple survived for a 66-64 win over Penn State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

After Talor Battle had hit a wide open three-pointer with 14.2 seconds to play, Fernandez found himself with the ball, worked his way around a tight defense and put up a jumper that fell for the win.

"Coach just said it was a pick-and-roll up top with Lavoy, then take what they gave us," said Fernandez. "I was thinking about shooting a jump shot, but I killed my dribble and Frazier was right there. And I think for some reason he jumped over to my right and that gave me the space to go left and I made that jumper."

Fernandez and Ramone Moore both totaled 23 points, while Khalif Wyatt added 10 points for the Owls (26-7), who fell to Richmond in the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 Tournament.

Temple, seeded seventh in the West Region, is in the tournament for the 29th time and will face San Diego State, which defeated Northern Colorado, on Saturday.

"Well, we're certainly excited and thrilled to have survived and moved on," said Temple head coach Fran Dunphy. "And it's great win for our program. A great win for these guys. That is who you think about first. And, again, exciting to continue to play in the NCAA tournament."

Battle made five three-pointers and totaled 23 points, while Tim Frazier had 15 points and seven assists and David Jackson added 14 points for the Nittany Lions (19-15), who fell to Ohio State in the title game of the Big Ten Tournament.

The 10th-seeded Lions, who advanced to the conference tournament final for the first time in school history, were making their ninth appearance in the NCAA Tournament and fell to 9-11.

"Goes without saying, very, very proud of my team and their efforts," said Penn State head coach Ed DeChellis. "You know, we fought. It was a great basketball game and they had the ball and made one more play, one more shot than we did."

The Owls took a two-point lead into the break and it remained a tight game as the largest lead was when Temple held a four-point lead, 47-43, off a Wyatt three-ball and two free throws from Moore with 11 minutes to play.

Penn State countered with a Frazier layup and Jackson three-pointer to take the lead back, but Fernandez hit a jumper and Moore's layup with just over seven minutes to play gave the Owls a 51-48 advantage.

Battle and Moore then exchanged buckets, but Battle hit a three-ball and Frazier put in a layup to give the Lions a 55-53 advantage with under five minutes to play.

After a Moore layup and a Jackson kiss off the glass, Moore buried a three for a one-point lead with 3:50 to play.

Battle put in a layup and Lavoy Allen answered with one of his own at the other end. Jackson then buried a jumper and Moore connected on a bucket with 1:07 left.

Battle, though, was blocked by Allen and Fernandez hit two free throws with 28.0 seconds to play for a three-point lead.

After a timeout, Battle found himself with a wide open shot from the left and he calmly drained it with 14.2 seconds left to tie the game.

Battle hit consecutive three-pointers as part of a 9-0 run by Penn State that Frazier capped on a free throw for a 15-9 lead with 13 1/2 minutes left in the first half.

Battle's third three-pointer of the game gave Penn State a 20-11 lead with just over 12 minutes to play in the first half.

It was still an eight-point game when Frazier hit a layup and foul shot for a 27-19 lead, but Temple mounted a rally to take the lead as a Fernandez three- pointer with 3 1/2 minutes left capped an 11-2 run for a 30-29 advantage.

Frazier countered with a layup and Wyatt made two free throws at the other end. Battle then made a layup with under two minutes to play to give the Lions a 33-32 lead.

Temple then missed two shots at its own end, but Wyatt stripped the ball from Battle and Rahlir Jefferson was fouled as he put in a layup and calmly put in a free throw for a 35-33 lead with 28.7 seconds left in the half.

Jermaine Marshall missed a three-pointer in the final seconds of the half as the Owls took the two-point lead into the break.

Game Notes

Temple is now 32-28 in the tournament...The Owls hold a 60-32 advantage over the Lions in the all-time series...Penn State made more buckets (26-24) and three-pointers (8-5), but Temple connected on nine more free throws than Penn State.