Rider @ Temple preview

After absorbing a tough defeat in its last game, Temple hopes to bounce back in its final nonconference tuneup Saturday against visiting Rider. The Owls have lost two of their last three and want to get back on track before facing Central Florida and Tulsa - both on the road - to begin American Athletic Conference play.

The Owls suffered a 78-77 defeat in New York earlier this week when Miami made two foul shots with about four seconds to go. Temple had rallied from a deficit late in regulation before falling short, prompting coach Aaron McKie to say: "It was a game that was right there. I think we're taking the right steps. This is one that's going to sting, it's going to sting for awhile." Now Temple must contend with a Rider team that has won five straight games, including four wins by double digits. The Broncs topped Marist 74-64 their last time out as Stevie Jordan recorded 23 points and six steals.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, ESPN3

ABOUT RIDER (7-2): The Broncs have a tough two-game road trip with matchups against Temple and then Wisconsin on New Year's Eve, but the team has one strength it can rely on -- rebounding. Rider averages 43.4 boards per game - fourth-most in the nation - with Tyere Marshall (17.0 points, 10.8 rebounds) leading the way. The senior center, who will be returning to his hometown of Philadelphia, has four double-doubles in the last six games and barely missed another against Marist with 19 points and nine boards.

ABOUT TEMPLE (7-3): The Owls have three double-digit scorers on the season, led by senior Quinton Rose (14.6 points), who has not shot above 43 percent from the field in any game this season. He missed all five of his 3-pointers against Miami and is 0-of-13 from 3-point range in the last four contests. Alani Moore II contributed 12 points versus the Hurricanes and is 7-of-10 from beyond the arc over the last two outings.

TIP-INS

1. Ten games into the season, nobody on Temple has more than Nate Pierre-Louis' six blocks.

2. Marist only has made 53 3-pointers in nine games. By comparison, McNeese's Dru Kuxhausen has 52 by himself this season.

3. Temple F De'Vondre Perry had a career-high 18 points against Miami.

PREDICTION: Temple 67, Rider 62