Saturday, March 7th, 7:30 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Charles E. Smith Center (5,000) -- Washington, D.C. Television: None. Home Record: Temple 9-2, George Washington 7-4. Away Record: Temple 8-8, George Washington 3-10. Neutral Record: Temple 1-1, George Washington 0-3. Conference Record: Temple 10-5, George Washington 4-11. Series Record: Temple leads, 47-16.

GAME NOTES: With a bye in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament already secured, the Temple Owls will close out their regular season on the road against the George Washington Colonials. The Owls earned the bye with their recent 68-59 victory over local rival Saint Joseph's. It was the first time in seven seasons that Temple swept the Hawks in the season series. It was also the sixth win in the last eight games for Temple, which is 10-5 in conference. As for the Colonials, they saw their modest two-game win streak come to an end with a 77-62 loss to UMass on Wednesday. The setback dropped GW to a meager 4-11 in A-10 action. The Owls have dominated the Colonials over the years, winning 47 of the 63 matchups, and that includes a commanding 20-5 edge for Temple on GW's home floor.

The Owls relied heavily on the play of standout Dionte Christmas. The guard has been one of the top players in the nation and is not only leading the Owls with 19.6 ppg, but is also contributing 6.1 rpg, 86 assists and a team-high 40 steals. Dominating the paint on the year has been Lavoy Allen, who is posting 10.9 ppg, to go along with a team-best 8.3 rpg. Proving to be a reliable three-point shooter has been Ryan Brooks, who is shooting 41.2 percent from long range, while chipping in 10.4 ppg. In the recent win over St. Joe's the Owls shot a mediocre 42.0 percent from the floor, but used a 23-point, eight rebounds showing from Christmas to capture the victory. Sergio Olmos added 14 points for Temple, while Craig Williams posted 11 points and nine boards.

Finding consistent production at the offensive end of the court has been a major problem for GW, as the team is currently netting just 66.7 ppg, despite shooting a healthy 44.2 percent from the floor. Rob Diggs has been the main scoring option on the year, as the big man is posting 13.5 ppg, to go along with team highs in rebounds (7.2 rpg) and blocks (45). Damian has also done well for the Colonials, netting 13.1 ppg, to go along with 6.2 rpg. George Washington's inability to score points continued in its recent loss to UMass, as the team shot a pedestrian 40.4 percent from the floor, while netting just 3-of-14 attempts from long range. Diggs paced the team with 22 points and nine boards, while Hollis also collected nine caroms to go along with 12 points and five assists.

The Owls already have a bye in hand, but there is no question Temple would like to go into the tournament on a winning note. Look for the Owls to grab a tough win on the road to close out the regular season.

Predicted Outcome

Temple 72, George Washington 66